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Biologically Inspired Evanescent Wave Sensor Using LinearArray Intra-Core Long Period Gratings

Award Information
Agency: Department of Defense
Branch: Air Force
Contract: N/A
Agency Tracking Number: 41374
Amount: $100,000.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: N/A
Solicitation Number: N/A
Timeline
Solicitation Year: N/A
Award Year: 1998
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): N/A
Award End Date (Contract End Date): N/A
Small Business Information
20600 Gramercy Place, Suite 103
Torrance, CA 90501
United States
DUNS: N/A
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Kishology Goswami, Ph.d.
 (310) 320-3088
Business Contact
Phone: () -
Research Institution
N/A
Abstract

Nature has created inspiring detection mechanisms -- the mammalian olfactory system is an example. Our distinctive perception of smell ermerges not from selective receptors in the nose, but from an array of cross-reactive sensing elements and the brain's signal processing power. Biologically inspired, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes an advanced evanescent wave sensor system for detecting volatile organic carbons. This system combines an array of fiber optic long period grating (LPGs) with neural network signal processing to identify and quantify individual analytes. LPGs, photolithographically inscribed in optical fiber, vastly enhance the interaction of core guided light with the cladding over conventional evanescent wave sensors. Thus, small analyte-induced changes in the cladding influences both the wavelength and intensity of the light in the fiber. POC's proposed cladding will attract and respond to analytes broadly yet differentially, with response times of a few seconds. During Phase I, POC will fabricate a working LPG-based sensor system and demonstrate its response to TCE and p-xylene in the presence of moisture. POC's sensor will be capable of reproducibly detecting analytes as liquid, DNAPL, thin-film, dissolved, and vapor forms, usable with cone penetrometers, reversible; field deployable; mass producible; low cost.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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