Geometric micron-moiré

A high spatial resolution and high-sensitivity geometric micron-moiré method is presented. The method is based upon classical geometric moiré method and microscopic principle, the frequency of the specimen and reference gratings used in this method can be higher than 1000 lines/mm. By a microscopic moiré system, the high-frequency gratings could be magnified to a low-frequency level, so geometric moiré patterns can be formed. Experiments show that both the spatial resolution and the sensitivity can reach or exceed micron-level.     

Moiré topography: alternative technique in health care

The instrumentation and application of moiré topography in the diagnosis of corporal asymmetries associated to different illnesses of the osseous-muscular system in early ages is presented in this paper. A sample comprising 203 adolescents ranging between 12 and 15 years were studied. Some moiré topography analysis of human legs and the sole of the foot are also given as examples of moiré applications. The results show the advantages of using this technique in the health care and treatment of different illnesses in adolescents. Some of these advantages are provided by the easy diagnosis and the low cost of the moiré technique.     

Analysis of CCD moiré pattern for micro-range measurements using the wavelet transform

A new approach based on the moiré theory and wavelet transform (WT) is proposed for measuring the micro-range distance between a charge-couple-device (CCD) camera and a two-dimensional reference grating. The micro-range distance is determined by measuring the pitch of the moiré pattern image, which is digitized by a CCD camera. A one-dimensional WT algorithm is applied to estimate the pitch of the moiré pattern. Experimental results prove that this technique is very efficient and highly accurate. The moiré range finder is an economic technique for measuring a micro-range distance.     

Moiré displacement measurement technique for a linear encoder

The light intensity diffracted from superimposed dual transmission gratings is sensitive to their relative lateral displacement but is also affected by changes in the air gap between them. Averaging the diffracted light intensities obtained in the gap range of a Fourier image distance, the resultant intensity was almost independent of the gap between the two gratings and had a period of half the pitch of the grating for the lateral displacement. This method can be used for a linear encoder in precision machining.     

Development nano-Moiré method with high-resolution microscopy at FML

Some novel nano-Moiré methods have been developed at failure mechanics lab in the Tsinghua University, recently. This paper offers an introduction of these new methods, which can be realized under the atomic force microscope, scanning tunneling microscope, as well as the transmission electron microscope. These nano-Moiré methods are able to offer quantitative analysis to nano-deformation of object. The measurement principles and experimental techniques of these methods are described in detail. A new digital nano-Moiré technique is proposed. Some typical applications to these methods are discussed. The successful experimental results demonstrate the feasibility of these methods and also verify that the methods can offer a high sensitivity for displacement measurement with nano-meter spatial resolution.     

Application of digital phase-shift shadow Moiré to micro deformation measurements of curved surfaces

The shortcomings of conventional shadow Moiré topography have in the past been improved by means of the phase-shift method which enhances the sensitivity and allows to process the fringe patterns automatically. This paper presents a digital implementation of the phase-shifting process, which requires only one image to be taken. The grating lines, projected onto the deformed object surface, are captured directly with a digital camera. Next the reference grating is superimposed numerically onto the projected grating lines. Then a number of phase-shifts are performed taking into account the non-linearities in the expression for the height-dependent intensity field. Experimental results prove that these non-linearities can considerably affect the micro deformation measurements of curved surfaces. The proposed method is very efficient and eliminates all causes of erroneous measurements due to the miscalibration of phase-stepping devices.     

Le satellite Encelade source d'ions N dans la magnétosphère de Saturne

The first pass of the Cassini probe in the vicinity of Saturn, above the E-ring, demonstrated a plasma consisting of water group ions (H⁺, O⁺, OH⁺, H₂O⁺) with a small N⁺ ion component (3%). Using a simple model for the transport of magnetospheric ions, we show that the N⁺ ions can be traced back to the Enceladus satellite. Such a result can be explained by the existence in this icy satellite, supposed to be still geologically active, of volatile components such as ammonia NH₃, or by the previous implantation of N⁺ ions of external origin on its surface. To cite this article: M. Bouhram et al., C. R. Physique 6 (2005).     

Focused ion beam Moiré method

A focused ion beam (FIB) Moiré method is proposed to measure the in-plane deformation of object in a micrometer scale. The FIB Moiré is generated by the interference between a prepared specimen grating and FIB raster scan lines. The principle of the FIB Moiré is described. The sensitivity and accuracy of deformation measurement are discussed in detail. Several specimen gratings with 0.14 and 0.20 μm spacing are used to generate FIB Moiré patterns. The FIB Moiré method is successfully used to measure the residual deformation in a micro-electro-mechanical system structure after removing the SiO₂ sacrificial layer with a 5000 lines/mm grating. The results demonstrate the feasibility of this method.