Integrated Optical Voltage-Measuring Apparatus

An integrated optical voltage-measuring apparatus based on a Mach-Zehnder interferometer has been designed and constructed. The main feature of this apparatus is that optical fibers link part of it to an optical sensor head placed at the source of the voltage to be measured, whether the source be a space-based power distribution control system or a ground-based high-voltage system. The optical fibers and sensor of this apparatus are immune to electromagnetic interference. This apparatus could be highly suitable for use in automatic control of space-based or aeronautical power-management and power-distribution systems. Potential ground-based commercial applications include measuring voltages and electric fields in electrical power systems, physiological monitoring and recording, measurements of pulsed power, and testing for electromagnetic compatibility.