Simmonds Precision Products, Inc.

William B Spillman Jr

Frederick G Hoff

Robert E Rudd Iii

A sensor testing apparatus which is capable of testing any sensor regardless of the type of polarization the sensor is sensitive to. The testing apparatus comprises a source conditioning apparatus to produce a beam of optical energy of a known polarization state. A polarization conditioning apparatus changes the polarization state of the optical energy beam to any desired polarization state. A transmit quadrant detector detects the polarization of the optical energy and the optical energy is directed to a sensor to be tested. The optical energy transmitted by the sensor is detected by a receive quadrant detector. The polarization state is displayed on the monitor of a computer by virtue of a computer interface with both quadrant detectors.

Polarimetric fiber optic sensor testing apparatus

A transducer system that uses diffracted light energy in a transducer application analyzes light diffracted from a diffraction grating to provide an indication of displacement or other measurable environmental changes, such a temperature changes. In one form of the invention, a diffraction grating is fabricated from first and second gratings and has a step-wise change in the grating period at an inter-grating boundary. The grating is illuminated with broadband light that is diffracted as a function of the irradiated position on the grating with the wavelength of the diffracted light and the change in wavelength being a function of the diffraction grating position. In another form of the present invention, a diffraction grating is provided with a variable grating period that can vary linearly, exponentially, or in accordance with some other function with the wavelength of the diffracted light being a function of the relative displacement of the grating. Additionally, grating can be combined to provide a transducer that provides an output that can be compensated for temperature variations.

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Charlotte, VT, United States of America

William B Spillman Jr