Transcript Document

Flexible Light
0653277
Rafael Medina: Computer Science, Alejandro Montoya: Electrical Engineering,
Southwestern College SPAWAR Interns
I.-Introduction
Important Information and Terms
Flexible Light does not refer to the ability to traverse in
curved direction but to the many applications that we can
use light for.
Laser emitter and
receiver being tested
at 20 ft.
Light being passed
from inside the
apparatus through
fiber optics
Magnified view of fiber optic cable
Advanced Technology Branch Interns
II.-Company
SPAWAR(Space And naval Warfare) Systems Command
(top)we proved we can use the kit to send info to the reciever that is 20 ft
away. The problem was that laser light is lost and replaced by that of the
helium light indoors. However we were able to fix this by placing a large
concave lense in front of the reciever to collect the light and feed it to be
decoded and sent to the television.(below)
We were hired as student interns in the Advanced
Technology division of SPAWAR under our mentors Brian
Williams(Rafael), Mathew Boss and Chunyan Lin(Alex)
Optical Fiber
Another interesting application of Optical fibers
is the total inner reflection and the use of glass
(transparent plastic rods) in which light is sent
from one point to another. The pictures above
demonstrate light is constricted to travel within
the rod, or even throughout curves, to conclude
a successive total inner reflection.
III.-Methods
We were fortunate enough to be able to work on 2
projects together, though our first projects were individual,
we were given the privilege to work on two new projects
ourselves.
Reflection
Al
TiN
When a light ray traveling in one medium encounters a
boundary with another medium, part of the incident light
is reflected. The following image can demonstrate
several rays of a beam of light incident a smooth
reflected surface. As you can see, the rays are parallel
to each other. Whereas, the direction of a reflected ray
is in the plane perpendicular to the reflecting surface.
Refraction
When the light travels through a glassy medium and
encounters a boundary leading into another transparent
medium, a certain portion of the energy is reflected and
partially enters the second medium.
Si
Buried Oxide
Video being transmitted
Project 2
Indoor Natural Light :
For our second project we tried to find a way to use natural light and
use it indoors without having to do expensive modifications to building
structure saving not only electricity but lessening the carbon footprint of
our facilities, “Thinking green”.
How light
travels within
fiber optic
cable
Al
Laser Beam being focused by lens into receiver
TiN
Project 1
LaserComm kit:
Our first project together was to learn how to operate and
understand the use of LaserComm kit.
The LaserComm kit consists of a Laser diode transmitter,
microphone, laser receiver, power supply and loudspeaker
hooked up to a video camera and television to allow us to
also view and transmit video.
The LaserCom works by modulating the amplitude and
length of the laser light and sending it to the reciever which
then decodes the signal and passes it on to either a speaker
or television or both.
Si
Buried Oxide
Rapid Thermal Processing @ 1200C
Proof on Concept.- Laser light being passed
through fiber optic cable
Using a laser we can demonstrate that light can be sent through a fiber
Optic cable with little loss, proving that a concentrated beam can be
Transmitted to a different place, similarly, natural light should be able
To be sent indoors if concentrated.
A practical optical fiber consists of a
transparent core surrounded by a cladding, a
material that has a lower index of refraction
than the core. The combination may be
surrounded by a plastic jacket to prevent
mechanical damage. The figure shows a
cutaway view of this plastic jacket. In the
optical fiber, the index of refraction of the
cladding is less than that of the core.
Light traveling in the core experiences total
internal reflection if it arrives at the interface
between the core and the cladding at an angle
of incidence that exceeds the critical angle.
We know how optical fiber is constructed and
that light is bounced along the core losing very
little of its intensity as it travels.
IV.-Results and Conclusions
•Information can be sent through Light and through optical
fiber and that it is possible to introduce natural light indoors
to help minimize cost and improve workspace.
•Unfortunately there is a significant loss of information over
long distances with light, but it can be made to go around
corners with reflection and focused for longer distances.
•The beam must be focused on to the receiver with a focal
lens to be able to receive the most info possible.
•It is very hard to actually pass light onto optical fiber, it must
be concentrated and focused before entering the fiber.
V.-Acknowledgements
This work was funded by the Office of Naval Research,
under the Internal Applied Research (IAR) Program at
SPAWAR Systems Center San Diego.
We would also like to thank everybody at SPAWAR and
MESA for making these life changing internships
possible especially Mr. Ayax Ramirez and Dr. Raga
Bakhiet for their unwavering faith and commitment to the
Southwestern College SPAWAR internships and for their
dedication to us students.
VI.- Contact Info
Rafael Medina: [email protected], (619)664-0688
Alejandro Montoya: [email protected]
(619)727-1649