Measurement Of Megampere Currents With Optical Fibers

L. Veeser; D. Kania; B. Freeman; P. Kruse; E. Zimmermann

doi:10.1117/12.934782

7 November 1983 Measurement Of Megampere Currents With Optical Fibers

L. Veeser, D. Kania, B. Freeman, P. Kruse, E. Zimmermann

Proceedings Volume 0380, Los Alamos Conf on Optics '83; (1983) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.934782
Event: Los Alamos Conference on Optics, 1983, New Mexico, United States

Abstract

We have used fiber optic sensors routinely to measure multi-megampere currents. The sensors are low noise, absolutely calibrated, and electrically decoupled from the pulsed power source. Polarized light from a HeNe laser is guided past the current carrier by a single-mode, low-birefringence fiber. The magnetic field from the current causes a Faraday rotation of the light polarization which is detected by a polarization analyzer and photo-diode at the end of the fiber. We observe a rotation of about 250°/MA ± 5%, slightly less than the Verdet constant for non-birefringent silica glass. We find that highly birefrin-gent (polarization preserving) optical fibers do not work in this application. We are now trying to ruggedize the sensor for field use with high-explosive-driven current sources by using a diode laser and single mode fiber couplers to replace the laboratory system of lenses and spatial filters.

Citation Download Citation

L. Veeser, D. Kania, B. Freeman, P. Kruse, and E. Zimmermann "Measurement Of Megampere Currents With Optical Fibers", Proc. SPIE 0380, Los Alamos Conf on Optics '83, (7 November 1983); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.934782

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available