An optical voltage sensor assembly includes an input fiber-optic collimator positioned and configured to collimate input light beam from a light source. A crystal material is positioned to receive the input light beam from the light source and configured to exhibit the Pockels effect when an electric field is applied through the crystal material. An output fiber-optic collimator is positioned to receive an output light beam from the crystal material and configured to focus the output light beam from the crystal onto a detector. Methods of using the optical voltage sensor assembly are also disclosed.

An electric field sensor includes a light source; an electro-optical crystal, a first separator, a first wavelength plate, first and second light receivers, a differential amplifier, and a controller. The electro-optical crystal has light from the light source incident thereon and receives an electric field generated by an object. The first separator separates light emitted from the electro-optical crystal into a P wave and an S wave. The first wavelength plate changes a phase of light at a pre-stage of the first separator. The first and second light receivers receive the P wave and S-wave light respectively, and convert the received light into first and second electrical signals, respectively. The differential amplifier generates a differential signal between the first and second electrical signals. The controller adjusts a wavelength of the light source such that an output value of a direct-current component of the differential amplifier is within a value range.

Techniques for reducing interference with sensor (light) signals and measurement in polarimetric fiber optic sensors from undesired effects of current and vibrations on light signals carried in fiber optic cables are presented. A sensor system comprises a first depolarizer associated with a fiber optic cable and in proximity to a light source that provides a light signal to such cable. First depolarizer depolarizes the light signal to produce a first depolarized light signal output to another portion of the fiber optic cable that can be wrapped around or associated with a conductor cable or ground cable. To reduce undesired polarizing effects on the first depolarized light signal due to current or vibrations from the conductor cable or ground cable, the system comprises a second depolarizer that depolarizes the (re)polarized light signal to produce a second depolarized light signal suitable for use in sensing current or voltage after additional processing.

A measurement system for real-time visualization of radiation pattern is provided. The measurement system comprises an antenna array with a plurality of antennas configured to provide a voltage gain corresponding to a received radio signal. Furthermore, the measurement system comprises a plurality of radio frequency detectors configured to rectify the voltage gain from each antenna of the plurality of antennas. In addition, the measurement system comprises a plurality of amplifiers downstream of the plurality of radio frequency detectors configured to amplify the magnitude of a rectified voltage from each of the radio frequency detectors. The measurement system moreover comprises a plurality of receiving elements, each includes a light emitting diode and configured to receive an amplified voltage corresponding to each amplifier of the plurality of amplifiers.

A voltage measuring device for measuring a voltage by using a Pockels cell includes a Pockels cell changing a refractive index of incident light based on an applied electric field, at least one non-polarized beam splitter splitting an incident beam, a first polarizing plate polarizing a first beam split by the at least one non-polarized beam splitter, a first light detector detecting light polarized based on the first polarizing plate, a wave plate elliptically polarizing and outputting a second beam split by the at least one non-polarized beam splitter, a second polarizing plate polarizing the elliptically polarized second beam, a second light detector detecting light polarized based on the wave plate and the second polarizing plate, and a controller configured to measure a voltage based on a first light intensity determined by the first light detector and a second light intensity determined by the second light detector.

A non-invasive method of detecting electrical activity in a target volume. The method can comprise aiming a plurality of antennas at one or more target sub-volumes within a target volume and acquiring the radio signal created when an electrical discharge occurs. The method can then comprise processing the radio signals to determine the electrical activity within the target volume and displaying the electrical activity in the target volume.

One aspect of the present technology relates to an optical electric field sensor device. The device includes a non-conductive housing configured to be located proximate to an electric field. A voltage sensor assembly is positioned within the housing and includes a crystal material positioned to receive an input light beam from a first light source through a first optical fiber. The crystal material is configured to exhibit a Pockels effect when an electric field is applied when the housing is located proximate to the electric field to provide an output light beam to a detector through a second optical fiber. An optical cable is coupled to the housing and configured to house at least a portion of the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber. The first light source and the detector are located remotely from the housing. A method of detecting an electric field is also disclosed.

A measurement system for real-time visualization of radiation pattern is provided. The measurement system comprises an antenna array with a plurality of antennas configured to provide a voltage gain corresponding to a received radio signal. Furthermore, the measurement system comprises a plurality of radio frequency detectors configured to rectify the voltage gain from each antenna of the plurality of antennas. In addition, the measurement system comprises a plurality of amplifiers downstream of the plurality of radio frequency detectors configured to amplify the magnitude of a rectified voltage from each of the radio frequency detectors. The measurement system moreover comprises a plurality of receiving elements, each includes a light emitting diode and configured to receive an amplified voltage corresponding to each amplifier of the plurality of amplifiers.

Techniques for reducing interference with sensor (light) signals and measurement in polarimetric fiber optic sensors from undesired effects of current and vibrations on light signals carried in fiber optic cables are presented. A sensor system comprises a first depolarizer associated with a fiber optic cable and in proximity to a light source that provides a light signal to such cable. First depolarizer depolarizes the light signal to produce a first depolarized light signal output to another portion of the fiber optic cable that can be wrapped around or associated with a conductor cable or ground cable. To reduce undesired polarizing effects on the first depolarized light signal due to current or vibrations from the conductor cable or ground cable, the system comprises a second depolarizer that depolarizes the (re)polarized light signal to produce a second depolarized light signal suitable for use in sensing current or voltage after additional processing.

An optical voltage sensor assembly includes an input fiber-optic collimator positioned and configured to collimate input light beam from a light source. A crystal material is positioned to receive the input light beam from the light source and configured to exhibit the Pockels effect when an electric field is applied through the crystal material. An output fiber-optic collimator is positioned to receive an output light beam from the crystal material and configured to focus the output light beam from the crystal onto a detector. Methods of using the optical voltage sensor assembly are also disclosed.