Two-axis-scanning laser Doppler vibrometer for precision engineering

Laser Doppler vibrometer (LVD) has been the most favorite instrument for precision dynamics measurement due to its non-contact, high accuracy and high resolution. However, LDV can only give the dynamic data of a particular location on the entire feature. In order to get the whole field data, a laser beam-scanning mechanism has to be implemented. Currently, motor-driven scanning mirror is used to move the measurement probe from one point to another. The mechanical vibrations of the scanning mirror will reduce the measurement accuracy. This paper introduces a novel scanning LDV optical system embodied in an acousto-optic deflector scanning mechanism. It can improve the measurement accuracy since there is no mechanical motion involved. One main advantage of this system is that it generates a laser scanning beam in parallel that is different from the beam scanning in the conventional scanning laser Doppler vibrometer (SLDV). The new system has a board scanning range. The measurement target size ranges from few tens of millimeters down to 10 μm. We have demonstrated the capability of the novel system on scanning measurements of features as big as ultra-precision cutting tool to features as tiny as AFM cantilever. We believe that the novel SLDV will find profound potential applications in the precision engineering field.     

Holography and electronic speckle pattern interferometry in geophysics

Geophysical applications of holography and ESPI are reviewed. First, laboratory experiments of rock deformation and failure with holographic interferometry and holographic in situ stressmeters are briefly summarized. Then, holographic measurements of tunnel deformations made in Japan are described. The holographic recording system, consisting of an He---Ne gas laser and associated optical elements, was installed in a tunnel at the Amagase Crustal Movement Observatory, Japan in 1984. Tunnel deformations caused by tidal and tectonic forces have been precisely determined using the ‘real-time’ technique of holographic interferometry. Finally, some attempts to apply ESPI to geophysical measurements are introduced.     

Realisation of a liquid crystal based prototype for duration measurement of picosecond pulses

Using self-diffraction technique, a prototype has been ideated and experimentally assembled for the measurement of the duration of laser pulses in the range of picoseconds. The innovative technique used is based on the presence of a dynamic diffraction grating written by the pulse on a film of liquid crystalline composite material under suitable geometrical conditions. The pulse to be measured undergoes a “self-diffraction” effect whose efficiency is related to the pulse duration. A software has been implemented both for the calculation of the pulse duration from the elaboration of experimental data and for the control of mechanical micrometric components.     

Analysis by speckle interferometry of the dependency of yield stress on residual stress

We used electronic speckle pattern interferometry (ESPI) to measure in situ displacement fields nondestructively and with high resolution (10⁻² μm) by using the interferometry principle and the phase-shift technique. We measured the depth profile of the residual stress in steel pipe manufactured by thermomechanically controlled processing using a quantitative model, which explains the relationship between residual stress and displacement measured by ESPI in chemical etching. We analyzed the variation of yield stresses measured by the indentation technique and the residual stresses at various depths. The relationship between the residual stresses and the yield stresses was consistent with simulated results and can be used for indirect evaluation of the residual stresses from the yield stresses.     

Evaluation of uncertainty in measurements—problems and tools

The ISO “Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement” (GUM) establishes a unified method for evaluating and stating measurement uncertainties that has been accepted by nearly all calibration services and most test co-operations in all parts of the world. In measurements of mechanical quantities, such as acceleration and derived motion quantities, the application of the GUM may be difficult and very time-consuming unless some possibilities of simplification are made use of. After a brief introduction to the basic procedure specified in the GUM for the calculation of the measurement uncertainty, a survey of the problems typically encountered in uncertainty calculations when, for example, vibrations are measured or accelerometers calibrated by laser interferometry is given. It is shown how a model function of simple structure can be established for the usually complex relationship between the output quantity (e.g. sensitivity of an accelerometer), the quantity to be measured (e.g. acceleration) and various influence quantities (noise, transverse motion, base strain, etc.). Among other things, non-linear effects such as the influences of distortion, hum and noise can be properly taken into account.     

大动态范围形变测量

本文对激光散斑物体轮廓及形变测量和相移轮廓测量原理进行类比,首次提出大动态范围物体三维轮廓及形变测量方法。该方法具有测量原理简单、系统操作简便、测量精度高、测量动态范围大等特点,形变测量范围从亚微米级到毫米级。另外本文还推导了基于减模式激光散斑物体轮廓及形变测量的相位值计算公式。     

CO2 laser photoacoustic spectra and vibrational modes of heroin, morphine and narcotine

Heroin, morphine and narcotine are very large molecules having 50, 40 and 53 atoms respectively. Moderately high resolution photoacoustic (PA) spectra have been recorded in 9.6 μm and 10.6 μm regions of CO₂ laser. It is very difficult to assign the modes of vibrations for PA bands by comparison with conventional low resolution IR spectra. The ab initio quantum chemical calculations were used for determining the molecular geometries and normal mode frequencies of vibrations of these molecules for assignments of PA spectra.     

Practical common-path heterodyne surface profiling interferometer with automatic focusing

In modern semiconductor and optics industries, there is a strong demand for a highly sensitive and non-contact surface profilometer. This paper describes a practical heterodyne surface profiling interferometer for on-line non-contact measurement which has been developed recently. The essential feature of the profilometer is a newly designed common-path configuration to minimize the effects caused by vibration, air turbulence and other environmental variations. A single-mode frequency-stabilized laser diode (780 nm) serves as the light source to make the whole system compact (total volume 250L×200W×100H mm). A powerful signal processing scheme is also developed, which includes three parts: automatic voltage control, phase measurement with wide range and automatic focusing control. All these make the repeatability and stability of the profiling interferometer greatly improved. The system has vertical resolution of 0.39 nm and lateral resolution of 0.73 μm. During approximately an hour, the stability is within 1.95 nm(3σ).     

Novel comprehension of “common path” principle

The idea of “common path” has been widely applied in optical instrument design for 30 years and even today. But the meaning of “common path” has not yet been explained clearly and sometimes confusion has been created. In this paper an “adaptive principle” is proposed and recommended on optical instrument system. It suggests that the designer not only arranges the measurement system to obtain measurement signal but also sets a channel to give prediction of noise or disturbance in real time or short term. Such a recommendation is based on the recent studies on nonlinear dynamics and atmospheric disturbance by means of experiments as well as theoretical analysis.     

Measurement of vibrational energy flow in a plate with high energy flow boundary crossing using electronic speckle pattern interferometry

The measurement of vibrational energy flow is an important tool in understanding the vibrational behaviour of structures. In the past, because of transducer constraints, the measurement of vibrational energy flow was mostly restricted to single point measurements. However, recent developments in advanced laser measurement techniques, such as electronic speckle pattern interferometry (ESPI), have gained interest in applying two-dimensional, multi-point measurement techniques to the estimation of vibrational energy flow. This paper addresses the measurement of vibrational energy flow in a plate by using an ESPI based vibrational energy flow measurement technique. A radially symmetric bending wave plate vibration model is introduced and theoretical expressions for energy-based quantities are derived. To assess the accuracy of the measurement method, these theoretical quantities are compared to synthetic results derived from the ESPI energy flow measurement technique. The ESPI measurement technique is also applied to an experimental ‘infinite’ plate. Thus, a specially designed experimental apparatus was constructed so as to minimise undesired wave reflections in the plate and, thus, achieve a high energy flow boundary crossing at the edges of the plate. To reduce the effect of optical noise contamination on the ESPI measured out-of-plane plate displacement data, optimal filters were applied prior to the vibrational energy flow computation. To appraise the accuracy of the experimental method, measured vibrational power on the plate is compared with measured vibrational input power. A difference of less than 1 dB between both quantities indicates that vibrational energy flow within a rectangular plate that contains radially symmetric wave propagation can be measured to a good degree of accuracy if appropriate filtering is applied.     

Oxalyl halides : Analysis of the 3480 Å absorption system of oxalyl chloridefluoride

Oxalyl chloridefluoride (COCl)(COF) exhibits moderately strong discrete absorption in the 3050–3540Å region. The band spectrum has been analyzed as an allowed electronic transition of the planar trans molecule. The most active vibrations are the carbonyl stretching modes ν₁′ and ν₂′ and the in-plane bending mode ν₉. Various other fundamental frequencies in the combining electronic states have been identified. The 0₀⁰ band is at 28 724.5 cm⁻¹; partial rotational analysis confirms that this band is type C. The appearance of “line” structure in the wings of the band is discussed and an explanation offered. The vibrational and rotational analyses confirm that the transition is under the C_s point group, as expected for a singlet-singlet n → π^* type of excitation.     

Doppler-limited dye laser excitation spectroscopy of DNO: Predissociation of DNO

The cw dye laser excitation spectrum of the (110)-(000) and (021)-(000) vibronic bands of the system of DNO was observed between 16530 and 16860 cm⁻¹ with Doppler-limited resolution. A rotational analysis of the two bands gave values for the rotational constants and centrifugal distortion constants. DNO was produced by the pyrolysis method and more than 1200 lines were observed in the two bands. A total of 1112 of these lines could be assigned to 9 and 11 subbands of the (110)-(000) and (021)-(000) bands, respectively. The molecular constants determined reproduce the observed transition frequencies with an average deviation of 0.011 and 0.008 cm⁻¹, respectively. Extensive perturbations in the excited state were found in most of the subbands. “Extra” lines were observed in connection with several of these perturbations. Accurate determination of the dissociation energy has been obtained; D₀ = 17010 ± 10 cm⁻¹.     

Surface Shape Measurement by Wavelength Scanning Interferometry Using an Electronically Tuned Ti:sapphire Laser

We developed a high speed and high resolution surface shape measurement system based on wavelength scanning interferometry with an electronically tuned Ti:sapphire laser. This laser emits pulses and the wavelength of each pulse can be tuned arbitrarily within 680 nm and 1056 nm. We also designed a high speed multiport CCD camera as a detector. This camera is synchronized with wavelength scanning of the laser at the frequency of 250 Hz. We could measure the object shape with a height resolution of 3.05 μm at the tuning range from 740.0 nm to 842.3 nm. By simple parabolic curve fitting to the Fourier peak of interference signals from each CCD pixel, the height resolution has been improved to the order of submicrometers.     

Diffractive multi-beam surface micro-processing using 10 ps laser pulses

A high repetition rate picosecond laser system is combined with a spatial light modulator (SLM) for diffractive multiple beam processing. The effect of the zero order beam is eliminated by adding a Fresnel zone lens (FZL) to defocus the un-diffracted beam at the processing plane. Chromatic dispersion, which is evident with a large bandwidth femtosecond pulses leading to the problem of distorted hole shape is eliminated due to the much narrower spectral bandwidth, 0.1 nm at 10 ps pulselength, resulting in highly uniform intensity spots, independent of diffraction angle. In addition, high-throughput processing is demonstrated by combining the high power laser output, 2.5 W at λ ≈ 1064 nm and fast repetition rate, f ≈ 20 kHz with P > 1.2 W diffracted into 25 parallel beams. This has the effect of creating an “effective” repetition rate of 500 kHz without restrictive scan speeds.     

New Si detector hardening process against laser irradiation

Measurements of the photoelectrical and semiconducting parameter degradation of “visible” detectors (Si) under an in-band, pulsed laser irradiation have been performed (Ph.D Thesis, Haute-Alsace University, France, 1998). An Nd:YAG laser, frequency doubled (λ=532 nm) with a pulse duration of 4 ns, has been used to irradiate the Si sensor. It has been shown that a laser irradiation induces a degradation of the detector performances due specially to the large increase in defect concentration, as measured by deep level transient spectroscopy. In order to reduce this defect density and, therefore, to improve the photoelectric properties of the irradiated detectors, a new process has been created in order to protect and to harden the Si sensors against a laser irradiation. This protection is achieved by introducing copper (Cu) atoms in the Si lattice. This process has been patented (number 98 11638).     

Measurement of thickness of a thin film by means of laser interference at many incident angles

An optical method for directly measuring the thickness of a thin transparent film has been proposed by means of multi-wave laser interference at many incident angles, and confirmed experimentally by means of equipment made on an experimental basis. Two methods are available: one can be used when an index of refraction of the film, a wavelength λ, and two successive angles of incidence at which the sinusoidal light intensity has minimum values, are known (Method I), and another can be used without an index of film refraction when three successive angles of incidence and a wavelength are known (Method II). The smallest measurable thickness is 1.43λ for Method I, and 2.5λ for Method II. The largest measurable thickness is about 100λ for both methods. The measurement error by means of numerical calculation is Δh/h−1.01×10⁻², and that obtained experimentally with an angular resolution of incident light of 0.3° is Δh/h7×10⁻² for Method I. The refractive index can also be measured by means of Method II.     

An assessment of the resolution limitation due to radiation-damage in X-ray diffraction microscopy

X-ray diffraction microscopy (XDM) is a new form of X-ray imaging that is being practiced at several third-generation synchrotron-radiation X-ray facilities. Nine years have elapsed since the technique was first introduced and it has made rapid progress in demonstrating high-resolution three-dimensional imaging and promises few-nanometer resolution with much larger samples than can be imaged in the transmission electron microscope. Both life- and materials-science applications of XDM are intended, and it is expected that the principal limitation to resolution will be radiation damage for life science and the coherent power of available X-ray sources for material science. In this paper we address the question of the role of radiation damage. We use a statistical analysis based on the so-called “dose fractionation theorem” of Hegerl and Hoppe to calculate the dose needed to make an image of a single life-science sample by XDM with a given resolution. We find that the needed dose scales with the inverse fourth power of the resolution and present experimental evidence to support this finding. To determine the maximum tolerable dose we have assembled a number of data taken from the literature plus some measurements of our own which cover ranges of resolution that are not well covered otherwise. The conclusion of this study is that, based on the natural contrast between protein and water and “Rose-criterion” image quality, one should be able to image a frozen-hydrated biological sample using XDM at a resolution of about 10 nm.     

Blooming Processes in Flowers Studied By Dynamic Electronic Speckle Pattern Interferometry (DESPI)

A dynamic electronic speckle pattern interferometry (ESPI) method was applied to study the blooming process in two kinds of flowers, the lily and the tulip. The complicated displacement fields of the flower petals were precisely monitored throughout the entire blooming process. The optical setup is a Fizeau type interferometer with relatively high robustness to air turbulence and vibrations. For quantitative evaluation of the displacement field, the subtraction-addition method (SAM), which utilizes only the digital signal processing of a sequence of images, was implemented. Measurements with accuracy in the range of λ/10 were achieved.     

Physics versus Semantics: A Puzzling Case of the Missing Quantum Theory

A case for the project of excising of confusion and obfuscation in the contemporary quantum theory initiated and promoted by David Deutsch has been made. It has been argued that at least some theoretical entities which are conventionally labelled as “interpretations” of quantum mechanics are in fact full-blooded physical theories in their own right, and as such are falsifiable, at least in principle. The most pertinent case is the one of the so-called “Many-Worlds Interpretation” (MWI) of Everett and others. This set of idea differs from other “interpretations” since it does not accept reality of the collapse of Schrödinger’s wavefunction. A survey of several important proposals for discrimination between quantum theories with and without wavefunction collapse appearing from time to time in the literature has been made, and the possibilities discussed in the framework of a wider taxonomy.     

Measurement of the biaxial properties of nineteenth century canvas primings using electronic speckle pattern interferometry

This paper reports on the use of electronic speckle pattern interferometry (ESPI) for the measurement of the biaxial tensile properties of English 19th century canvas primings and their constituent materials. Typically, such primings are comprised of a complex structure of layers, each with different mechanical properties. ESPI has been shown to be an effective technique for investigating complex composite structures and it is especially useful for understanding the behaviour of heterogeneous materials in which non-uniform strains can occur. The flexibility of canvas primings presents a more difficult application for both biaxial tensile testing and ESPI strain measurements. A series of experiments have been carried out to measure the Poisson's ratio of the three main constituents of a 19th Century priming as composites and of an original 19th century primed canvas. The samples have been uniaxially tensioned on a biaxial tensile tester designed specifically to investigate the mechanical properties of paintings on canvas. Measurements of deformation have made using a two-dimensional in-plane ESPI configuration. The results have shown that Poisson's ratio decreases as the constituents of a painting are built up. Preliminary tests on thermally aged and original primings suggest that for a painting without cracks it is the embrittled paint which determines the mechanical response of the painting at an relative humidity of 35–40%.