HPM Testing and Transmission Measurements on Optical Sensors

This paper is a summary of a study made with regards to optical sensors in an high power microwave (HPM) environment. This study included coupling measurements through different optics, high power testing of built-in shielded optical sensors and susceptibility testing of unshielded optical sensors with electromagnetic radiation for microwave frequencies. The purpose of this study is to determine if it is possible to make coupling measurements and susceptibility testing on the unshielded sensor, and from these two measurements estimate the HPM susceptibility of a shielded sensor, where the optical aperture is the only transmission path for radiated microwaves. The study also addresses conclusions about the coupling path and the HPM threat on optical sensors.