ASA 127th Meeting M.I.T. 1994 June 6-10

3pSAb1. Acoustic applications of fiber optic Bragg gratings.

David A. Brown

Phys. Dept., Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA 93943

Qin Zhang

L. J. Reinhart

T. F. Morse

Brown University, Providence, RI 02912

Optical fiber Bragg gratings are made using an Excimer KrF laser and a phase mask to induce a periodic variation of the index of refraction of the core of the optical fiber. This narrow-band reflector can be used as an absolute acoustic or static pressure sensor by monitoring the wavelength of the light reflected in the fiber. Also, fiber optic Bragg gratings written at different wavelengths provides a new method for multiplexing of optical fiber based acoustic and nonacoustic sensors. This talk will present results on the fabrication of optical fiber Bragg gratings, sensors based on gratings, and interrogation schemes. [Work supported by the DoN---Program Executive Office---ASTO, NSF, and AFOSR.]