Reduced Mode Sapphire Optical Fiber and Sensing System

The real-time, accurate and reliable monitoring of temperatures at distributed locations can further revolutionize technologies such as the unique integrated gasification combined cycle configuration of turbines and the ultra-super critical steam cycle designs. The proposed sapphire fiber waveguide design will overcome the harsh environment challenges that severely limit the integration of mature optical fiber sensing technologies in new power plant control systems. A new modal reduction waveguide design will take advantage of the high temperature stability and corrosion resistance of sapphire and result in a paradigm shift in ultra-high temperature sensing. A novel and precise etching technique will significantly reduce (>50%) the mode volume in a robust and truly unique sapphire fiber.

image_plp

Conversion of Single Crystal Sapphire Fiber to Mullite via VT SiC masking technique (for creating features in fiber) [Top], Angled Edge on the End of a Single Crystal Sapphire Fiber and Fiber Size Reduction via VT Etching Process [Bottom Left], Angled Edge on Single Crystal Sapphire Wafer via VT Etching Process [Bottom Right]

plp_DOD_share

Off

Presentations_plp

Reduced Mode Sapphire Optical Fiber and Sensing System (March 2017)
Presented by Daniel Homa, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Project Review Meeting for Crosscutting Research, Gasification Systems, and Rare Earth Elements Research Portfolios, Pittsburgh, PA.
Reduced Mode Sapphire Optical Fiber and Sensing System (April 2016)
Presented by Daniel Homa, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 2016 NETL Crosscutting Technology Research Review Meeting, Pittsburgh, PA.
Reduced Mode Sapphire Fiber and Distributed Sensing System (April 2015)
Presented by Daniel Homa, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 2015 NETL Crosscutting Technology Research Review Meeting, Pittsburgh, PA.
Reduced Mode Sapphire Optical Fiber and Sensing Systems (May 2014)
Poster by Daniel Homa, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 2014 NETL Crosscutting Technology Research Review Meeting, Pittsburgh, PA.

Principal Investigator

Gary Pickrell

pickrell@vt.edu

Project Benefits

This project will develop real-time, accurate and reliable monitoring of temperatures at distributed locations of sensors for harsh conditions. The proposed sapphire fiber waveguide design will overcome the harsh environment challenges that severely limit the integration of mature optical fiber sensing technologies in new power plant control systems. Overall, this technology is expected to lower operating costs by allowing more accurate measurement of the conditions inside a gasifier or boiler to better control their operation.

Project ID

FE0012274

Website

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

http://www.vt.edu/