As partner of the EU project ACTPHAST the Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology delve into the production of fiber optic sensors integrated in temperature stable sapphire fibers. These fiber sensors shall be used for temperature monitoring in aircrafts and spacecrafts.

Sensor fibers for the use under extreme high temperatures up to 1,300 degrees -that request of support has been made by the British company Oxsensis to the experts at IPHT. The scientists are well skilled in the research area of fiber-based sensors for the measurement of temperature, pressure or elongation. The measurement is performed by fiber Bragg grating. Fiber Bragg gratings are microscopic filter structures that are engraved onto the glass fiber by a laser. The glass as well as the inner structures of glass fibers will become soft if the fiber is exposed to temperatures that are too high. Therefore glass fibers are suitable only for measurements in a temperature range of several hundred degrees. “Due to the high melting point at about 2,400 degrees and their chemical resistance we use sapphire fibers, since they are suitable for measurements under extreme conditions”, says Manfred Rothhardt, who leads the project at IPHT. Within the project the processing of the sapphire fibers will be developed by the fiber expert and exactly adapted to the needs of the industry partner.

This partnership from industry and research arises from the EU project ACTPHAST, that is coordinated by the Free University of Brussels and running until the end of 2017. ACTPHAST is a unique “one-stop-shop” European access centre for photonics innovation solutions and technology support (Access CenTre for PHotonics innovAtion Solutions and Technology support). ACTPHAST supports and accelerates the innovation capacity of European SMEs by providing them with direct access to the expertise and state-of-the-art facilities of Europe’s leading photonics research centres, enabling companies to exploit the tremendous commercial potential of applied photonics. Technologies available within the consortium range from fibre optics and micro optics, to highly integrated photonic platforms, with capabilities extending from design through to full system prototyping. ACTPHAST has been geographically configured to ensure all of Europe’s SMEs can avail of timely, cost-effective, and investment-free photonics innovation support, and that the extensive range of capabilities within the consortium will impact across a wide range of industrial sectors, from communications to consumer-related products, biotechnology to medical devices. The access of predominantly SMEs to top-level experts and leading photonics technology platforms provided by the ACTPHAST consortium is realised through focused innovation projects executed in relatively short timeframes with a critical mass of suitably qualified companies with high potential product concepts. As a result of these projects, the programme is expected to deliver a substantial increase in the revenues and employment numbers of the supported companies by supporting the development of new product opportunities and addressing emerging markets. Furthermore, through its extensive outreach activities, the programme will ensure there is an increased level of awareness and understanding across European industries of the technological and commercial potential of photonics.

For more information about ACTPHAST, visit the website at www.actphast.eu and watch the ACTPHAST movie at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dl88JFPgeFo