Design and Qualification of FBG Accelerometers for Harsh Environments

Fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensors exhibit well-known advantages over conventional technologies. They are small and lightweight, as well as electrically passive and immune to electromagnetic interference (EMI) and radio-frequency interference (RFI). They offer large multiplexing capabilities and can capture measurements over long-distances. FBG sensors inherently measure strain and temperature; they can also collect acceleration, pressure, and displacement measurements by using smart transduction designs. But how well can these sensor constructions and the underlying FBG technology withstand harsh environments, such as high radiation, extreme temperatures and thermal cycling, and ultra-high vacuum conditions?

After providing a brief primer on FBG technology, Silvia Abad shows the design and qualification of FBG accelerometers for harsh environments and how their demanding requirements can be addressed. In particular, she presents solutions already delivered for acceleration measurements on the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) Vacuum Vessel, a key component in one of the most demanding technology challenges currently being undertaken worldwide.

About the presenter
Silvia Abad, Ph.D., has been devoted to the field of fiber-optic sensing (FOS) and optical communications for over 20 years. With a doctorate in telecommunication engineering, she has been working both for industry and academia with the aim of delivering to market advanced instrumentation solutions based on photonic technologies for the most demanding applications. Presently she is the Special Project Manager at HBK FiberSensing, a company developing fiber-optic sensors and systems for different markets. In this role, Abad has led a variety of projects for clients such as the European Space Agency and ITER. She is also a lecturer and researcher at the European University of Madrid, and she participates as an External Expert for the European Commission on R&D programs. She is author of more than 40 international communications, papers, and books.