Project Title:
Integrated Optic Spacesuit Atmospheric Quality Monitor
94-1 12.01 3088
Integrated Optic Spacesuit Atmospheric Quality Monitor
Abstract:
Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop a compact,
lightweight, low-power, self-referenced integrated optic oxygen
concentration sensor based on sol-gel-derived porous channel
waveguides The proposed technology employs a novel
photolithographic technique that uses commonly available materials
and straightforward processing to produce active porous waveguides
in silica-based sol-gel films and monoliths. These porous
waveguides will be used to monitor oxygen concentration within
spacesuits and in space vehicles during extravehicular activities
(EVA). During the proposed Phase I effort, POC will prove the
practicality of this technique by using it to produce an integrated
optic oxygen sensor. A compact, low power optoelectronic system
using a phase fluorimeter approach will be designed to be used with
the integrated optic sensor.
The U.S. military, aerospace, and private industry have a critical
need for miniature, lightweight, low-power, multi-element chemical
sensors. The success of the proposed project will contribute to the
development of a sol-gel fabrication technique for use in
integrated optic chemical sensors.
Key words
Physical Optics Corporation
Research and Development Division
20600 Gramercy Place, Suite 103
Torrance, California 90501