This book presents the intricate world of advanced optical sensors specifically tailored for aerospace applications. Starting with the fundamental principles of optical sensing technology, it navigates through the latest innovations and advancements that have shaped the industry. Readers will discover how optical sensors play a pivotal role in avionics, remote sensing, and structural health monitoring, enhancing both safety and efficiency. The book also addresses the challenges and limitations of currently available technologies while exploring future trends, including the integration of artificial intelligence. In addition to theoretical insights, the book includes case studies that showcase successful implementations, providing practical examples of how optical sensors are transforming aerospace operations. Ultimately, this book serves as a resource for engineers, researchers, and industry professionals looking to understand and advance the application of optical sensor technology in the aerospace sector.

Autorentext

Dr. C. Marques obtained his Ph.D. in Physics Engineering from the University of Aveiro, Portugal. He was a Marie Curie (MC) fellow in the Aston Institute of Photonics Technologies, Aston University, U.K. After that, he was a research scientist (assistant and principal researcher (CEEC)) in the Physics Department & I3N, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal. Currently, he is a professor in the Physics Department, University of Aveiro, Portugal, and a full member of CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials, University of Aveiro, Portugal. He is also a researcher of REFRESH at VSB Technical University of Ostrava, Department of Physics. His research interests include innovative optical devices and structures for sensing, integrated optics, low-cost interrogation systems, eHealth, aviation, data acquisition, predictive analytics, and optical transmission data. Dr. R.V.L.N. Sridhar is a senior scientist of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). He has been working for the Laboratory for Electro-Optics Systems (LEOS), one of the premier ISRO units known for the development of precise and accurate navigation sensors, high-quality 1.2-meter class optics, optical assemblies, detectors, and scientific instruments for terrestrial and interplanetary missions. He is the principal investigator for the laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) instrument aboard the Chandrayaan-3 Pragyaan rover, the development lead for the scientific instruments, namely, Lyman Alpha Photometer (LAP) aboard the India's maiden Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM1), Earth-Exospheric Lyman Alpha Analyzer (EELAA) aboard the INS-1B, and the team member of the 1st Indian Laser Altimeter (LLRI) flown in the Chandrayaan-1 mission. His contributions further include the realization of spin-off technology developments, viz., photon-counting lidar, miniature Raman spectroscope, space-qualified solid-state q-switched Nd:YAG laser, dual-wavelength lidar sensor, etc. Dr. Santosh Kumar (Fellow of SPIE) received the Ph.D. from IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, Dhanbad, India. He was with Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China, from 2018 to 2023. He is currently a professor with the Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, Koneru Lakshmaiah Education Foundation, Vijayawada, India. His research focuses on WaveFlex biosensors, fiber optic sensors, photonics and plasmonic devices, nano and biophotonics, waveguides, interferometers, and the Internet of Things.