Prognostic and development of methods for the utilisation of fibers as advanced sensors in aeronautics

This thesis work has been conducted in order to study and test the functioning of the optical fibers as sensors. They can be used in fact to measure strain, temperature and pressure variations. Thanks to the equipments located in the PhotoNext Laboratory, into the Mechanical and Aerospace Department of our Politecnico diTorino, it has been possible to prepare a particular test bench. Thanks to it, we performed all the tests, verifying and analysing the wavelength variations. These measurements have been read through the Fiber Bragg Gratings (FBG) installed into the optical fiber's core. So the objective of this thesis work consists in using new equipments to make the tests automatic. Thanks to the substantial amount of measurements obtained in this way, we have been able to analyse the fiber's response to particular stresses, with particular temperature conditions. Because of recent scientific advances, it is known that optical fibers can be used in several ways and not just for data transmissions. They result to be very useful thanks to their low weight and dimensions. Moreover they don't need external power supply and they are immune to all electromagnetic disturbances. All these advantages make them so good to be used as sensors to be installed on-board, both in aeronautics and space.