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Diode Laser-Based Flight Test Instrumentation for Scramjets

Award Information
Agency: Department of Defense
Branch: Air Force
Contract: FA9550-04-C-0102
Agency Tracking Number: F045-012-0054
Amount: $100,000.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: STTR
Solicitation Topic Code: AF04-T012
Solicitation Number: N/A
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2004
Award Year: 2004
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2004-09-01
Award End Date (Contract End Date): 2005-06-01
Small Business Information
1570 Pacheco Street, Suite E-11
Santa Fe, NM 87505
United States
DUNS: 153579891
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Shin-Juh Chen
 Senior Research Scientist
 (505) 984-1322
 sjchen@swsciences.com
Business Contact
 Alan Stanton
Title: President
Phone: (505) 984-1322
Email: astanton@swsciences.com
Research Institution
 The University of Michigan
 Peter Gerard
 
Dept. of Aerospace Engineering, 1320 Beal Avenue
Ann Arbor, MI 48109
United States

 (734) 763-3193
 Nonprofit College or University
Abstract

The optimization of scramjet engine performance parameters such as combustion efficiency, thrust maximization, reduction in pollutants, minimization of exhaust signatures (for stealth) are essential. Measurements of chemical species and temperature in the scramjet engine during test flight are critical for evaluating engine performance. For a diode laser-based sensor system to be a viable option for measuring chemical species and temperature, a simple, lightweight and compact sensor system is required. This will require substantial reduction in the physical size of the system, reduction in the number of lasers and detectors, innovative optics, and implementation of compact and rugged electronics. In partnership with the University of Michigan under this STTR, Southwest Sciences proposes to develop an in situ, non-intrusive, multi-species capable, lightweight, compact, and rugged sensor system based on diode laser spectroscopy to monitor the exhaust gases of a scramjet. The proposed sensor system incorporates several key technologies which will permit the development of a multi-gas sensor capable of meeting both detection and severe operational constraints. These key technologies include state-of-the-art lasers, wavelength modulation spectroscopy, modulation frequency multiplexing, time-division multiplexing, a two-color photodiode detector, absorption-based thermometry, digital signal processing, an unique supersonic combustion tunnel.

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

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