UV sensors are typically very sensitive to aging and solarization effects of the harsh environment in which they are used. Minimizing the long term effects of UV on a sensor/optics is extremely challenging, especially with on-line installed sensors used for continuous monitoring on a 24/7 basis. This paper describes a patented method of reducing the effects of aging and solarization to a minima...

Observations of the optical properties of the ocean are important for resolving several issues, including primary productivity, biogeochemical cycling, health of the ocean (e.g., harmful algal blooms), upper ocean heating, and underwater visibility. The present review describes some enabling technologies that can be used to greatly increase the variety and quantity of optical observations and t...

We propose and demonstrate an optical voltage sensing scheme based on a macrobending optical fiber in a ratiometric power measurement system. This novel approach to sensing has not been utilized before and has the advantage that the sensor involves simple fabrication compared to existing fiberoptic voltage sensors. To prove the feasibility of such a fiber-optic sensor, a sensor for a voltage ra...

We present the modelling of stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) in graded index polymer fibres made with fluoropolymer CYTOPr(Cyclic Transparent Optical Polymer). Comparison of SBS in silica and polymer optical fibres is presented. What emerges is that polymer-based fibre sensors require, compared to silica-fibres sensors, higher power sources (in the order of Watts). The innovative aspect of...

Embedding optical fibers sensors into composite structures for Structural Health Monitoring purposes is not just one of the most attractive solutions contributing to smart structures, but also the optimum integration approach that insures maximum protection and integrity of the fibers. Nevertheless this intended integration level still remains an industrial challenge since today there is no mat...

Self-mixing interferometer is a suitable tool for implementing industrial sensors, with the advantages of optical techniques, such as high accuracy and contactless operation, but at potential very-low cost. This paper describes some techniques recently developed for realizing vibration measurements, based on different signal elaborations and with different performances and applications. Particu...

A review of three commonly used classes of chemical sensor technologies as applicable to implementation in portable, handheld field instruments is presented. Solid-state gas and chemical sensors have long been heralded as the solution to a wide variety of portable chemical sensing system applications. However, advances in optical sensing technology have reduced the size of supporting infrastruc...

Optical fiber sensors offer a number of advantages for spacecraft applications. A principal application is strain sensing for structural health monitoring, shape determination, and spacecraft qualification testing. This paper will review the results of recent work at the Naval Research Laboratory where optical fiber strain sensors have been used on spacecraft structures and ground test hardware...

The detection of oxygen using optical sensors is of increasing interest, especially in modified atmosphere food packaging (MAP), in which the package, usually containing food, is flushed with a gas, such as carbon dioxide or nitrogen. This tutorial review examines the ideal properties of an oxygen optical sensor for MAP and compares them with those developed to date, including the most recent a...