Digital demodulation system for low-coherence interferometric sensors based on highly birefringent fibers

A new type of demodulation system for low-coherence interferometric sensors based on highly birefringent fibers is presented. The optical path delay introduced by the sensor is compensated in four detection channels by quartz crystalline plates of appropriate thickness. The system can be used to decode a single-point sensor with a resolution of 2.5 x 10(-3) or two serially multiplexed sensors with decreased resolution. In a multiplexed configuration each sensor is served by two detection channels. By tilting the quartz plates, we can tune the initial phase shift between interference signals in successive channels to differ by pi/8 or pi/4, respectively, for a single-point or a multiplexed configuration. We transferred the sinusoidal intensity changes into digital pulses by appropriate electronic processing, which eventually allows for an unambiguous phase-shift measurement with a resolution of 1/8 or 1/4 of an interference fringe. The system performance for the measurement of hydrostatic pressure changes and simultaneous changes of hydrostatic pressure and temperature is demonstrated. The pressure sensors are based on side-hole fiber to ensure high sensitivity and an operation range of 2.4 MPa. A new configuration for temperature compensation of hydrostatic pressure sensors is proposed, which is better suited for dynamic pressure measurements. In this configuration the sensing and compensating fibers are located in the same compartment of the sensor housing.     

Optimized multiwavelength combination sources for interferometric use

We present the use of multiwavelength combination sources in a direct method for improved central fringe identification in a white-light interferometric system. The optimum wavelength combinations of such sources can be obtained by the use of the results of a simple analysis. We find that this multiwavelength technique can greatly reduce the minimum signal-to-noise ratio required by the systemwhen used to identify the central fringe, and thus it offers an increased signal resolution. As a result, it is suitable for high-precision measurement purposes as well as for applications in coherence multiplexed interferometric sensor systems.     

Transparent network for hybrid multiplexing of fiber Bragg gratings and intensity-modulated fiber-optic sensors

A network for multiplexing fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) and intensity-modulated fiber-optic sensors with no need to distinguish between the two kinds of sensor is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. Two FBG sensors and two intensity-modulated sensors are wavelength-division multiplexed; the electrical phase of the output signal is measured as a common parameter for both types of sensor. Furthermore, the intensity sensors become power referenced, and the FBG sensors are interrogated by a low-cost technique. Low cross talk is achieved by use of a tunable optical filter at the detector.     

Passive directional discrimination in laser-Doppler anemometry by the two-wavelength quadrature homodyne technique

We report a method for passive optical directional discrimination in laser-Doppler anemometers. For this purpose frequency-shift elements such as acousto-optic modulators, which are bulky and difficult to align during assembly, have traditionally been employed. We propose to use a quadrature homodyne technique to achieve directional discrimination of the fluid flow without any frequency-shift elements. It is based on the employment of two laser wavelengths, which generate two interference fringe systems with a phase shift of a quarter of the common fringe spacing. Measurement signal pairs with a direction-dependent phase shift of +/- pi/2 are generated. As a robust signal-processing technique, the cross-correlation technique is used. The principles of quadrature homodyne laser-Doppler anemometry are investigated. A setup that provides a constant phase shift of pi/2 throughout the entire measurement volume was achieved with both single-mode and multimode radiation. The directional discrimination was successfully verified with wind tunnel measurements. The complete passive technique offers the potential of building miniaturized measurement heads that can be integrated, e.g., into wind tunnel models.     

Grating-assisted demodulation of interferometric optical sensors

Accurate and dynamic control of the operating point of an interferometric optical sensor to produce the highest sensitivity is crucial in the demodulation of interferometric optical sensors to compensate for manufacturing errors and environmental perturbations. A grating-assisted operating-point tuning system has been designed that uses a diffraction grating and feedback control, functions as a tunable-bandpass optical filter, and can be used as an effective demodulation subsystem in sensor systems based on optical interferometers that use broadband light sources. This demodulation method has no signal-detection bandwidth limit, a high tuning speed, a large tunable range, increased interference fringe contrast, and the potential for absolute optical-path-difference measurement. The achieved 40-nm tuning range, which is limited by the available source spectrum width, 400-nm/s tuning speed, and a step resolution of 0.4 nm, is sufficient for most practical measurements. A significant improvement in signal-to-noise ratio in a fiber Fabry-Perot acoustic-wave sensor system proved that the expected fringe contrast and sensitivity increase.     

Local Crack‐Programmed Gold Nanowire Electronic Skin Tattoos for In‐Plane Multisensor Integration

Sensitive, specific, yet multifunctional tattoo‐like electronics are ideal wearable systems for “any time, any where” health monitoring because they can virtually become parts of the human skin, offering a burdenless “unfeelable” wearing experience. A skin‐like, multifunctional electronic tattoo made entirely from gold using a standing enokitake‐mushroom‐like vertically aligned nanowire membrane in conjunction with a programmable local cracking technology is reported. Unlike previous multifunctional systems, only a single material type is needed for the integrated gold circuits involved in interconnects and multiplexed specific sensors, thereby avoiding the use of complex multimaterials interfaces. This is possiblebecause the programmable local cracking technology allows for the arbitrary fine‐tuning of the properties of elastic gold conductors from strain‐insensitive to highly strain‐sensitive simply by adjusting localized crack size, shape, and orientations—a capability impossible to achieve with previous bulk cracking technology. Furthermore, in‐plane integration of strain/pressure sensors, anisotropic orientation‐specific sensors, strain‐insensitive stretchable interconnects, temperature sensors, glucose sensors, and lactate sensors without the need of soldering or gluing are demonstrated. This strategy opens a new general route for the design of next‐generation wearable electronic tattoos.     

Isochromatic fringes in photoelasticity

The structure of the isochromatic fringe pattern in a two-dimensional photoelastic model is investigated with the phase diagram method of the theory of dynamic systems. Isochromatics are interpreted as phase paths (or level curves) of a Hamiltonian system. Possible singularities of the fringe pattern are analyzed.     

Bayesian neural-networks-based evaluation of binary speckle data

We present a new method using Bayesian probability theory and neural networks for the evaluation of speckle interference patterns for an automated analysis of deformation and erosion measurements. The method is applied to the fringe pattern reconstruction of speckle measurements with a Twyman-Green interferometer. Given a binary speckle image, the method returns the fringe pattern without noise, thus removing the need for smoothing and allowing a straightforward unwrapping procedure and determination of the surface shape. Because no parameters have to be adjusted, the method is especially suited for continuous and automated monitoring of surface changes.     

Measurement of air turbulence for on-machine interferometry

There is increasing demand for in situ shape measurements performed on ultraprecision processing machines. One major source of error during interferometric measurements performed on machines is fringe displacement due to external disturbances. We have developed an interferometer equipped with an electro-optic phase modulator that measures the phase of interference fringes before they are displaced by air turbulence. The frequency characteristics of air turbulence induced by a heat source are derived from successive measurements of a test surface. Experimental results show that the phase of the interference fringes can be accurately measured in the presence of air turbulence when the intensity of the fringes is sampled at a speed of several hundred hertz.     

A variable pressure method for characterizing nanoparticle surface charge using pore sensors

A novel method using resistive pulse sensors for electrokinetic surface charge measurements of nanoparticles is presented. This method involves recording the particle blockade rate while the pressure applied across a pore sensor is varied. This applied pressure acts in a direction which opposes transport due to the combination of electro-osmosis, electrophoresis, and inherent pressure. The blockade rate reaches a minimum when the velocity of nanoparticles in the vicinity of the pore approaches zero, and the forces on typical nanoparticles are in equilibrium. The pressure applied at this minimum rate can be used to calculate the zeta potential of the nanoparticles. The efficacy of this variable pressure method was demonstrated for a range of carboxylated 200 nm polystyrene nanoparticles with different surface charge densities. Results were of the same order as phase analysis light scattering (PALS) measurements. Unlike PALS results, the sequence of increasing zeta potential for different particle types agreed with conductometric titration.     

Multiplexed Fiber Bragg Grating Interrogation System Using a Microelectromechanical Fabry–Perot Tunable Filter

This paper describes a fiber Bragg grating strain sensor interrogation system based on a microelectromechanical systems tunable Fabry–Perot filter. The shift in the Bragg wavelength due to strain applied to a sensor fiber is detected by means of a correlation algorithm which was implemented on an embedded digital signal processor. The instrument has a 70 nm tuning range, allowing multiple strain sensors to be multiplexed on the same fiber. The performance of the interrogator was characterized using an optical fiber containing six grating strain sensors embedded in a fiberglass test specimen. The measured root mean square (RMS) strain error was 1.5 microstrain, corresponding to a 1.2 pm RMS error in the estimated wavelength shift. Strain measurements are produced with an update rate of 39 samples/s.      

Phase measurements with wide-aperture interferometers

An interferogram produced by wide-aperture interferometers is studied both theoretically and experimentally. The fringe spacing is shown to increase nonlinearly with the numerical aperture and the fringe envelope to become narrower as the numerical aperture is increased. Phase measurements with wide-aperture interferometers therefore require calibration, and the phase can be measured only over a limited range. A calibration is given for accurate phase measurements, and the range over which the phase can be measured is calculated. Experimental measurements are presented and compared with theory.     

Interferometric analysis of reorientational nonlinear phenomena at 10.6 microm in a nematic liquid crystal

We describe an infrared interferometric technique based on a two-dimensional spatial fringe analysis Fourier method for investigating the characteristic ring diffraction pattern generated by the self-phase-modulation effect induced in nematic liquid crystals (NLCs) by an infrared laser beam and for measuring the nonlinear refractive index of the NLCs. The experimental setup employs a Mach-Zehnder interferometer with a cw CO2 laser emitting at 10.6 microm and a pyroelectric optoelectronic sensor matrix to detect the modulated ring-pattern intensity distribution formed in the far field by a nematic E7 sample. A Fourier-transform-based analysis of the interference fringe pattern allows comparison of the measurements with the theoretical ring-pattern intensity distribution. We show that accurate determination of the nonlinear refractive index can be obtained by analyzing the two-dimensional phase distribution of the modulated ring pattern.     

Multipoint temperature-independent fiber-Bragg-grating strain-sensing system employing an optical-power-detection scheme

A temperature-independent fiber-Bragg-grating strains-sensing system, based on a novel optical-power-detection scheme, is developed and analyzed. In this system a pair of fiber Bragg gratings with reflection spectra either partially or substantially overlapping is placed side by side to form a temperature-independent strain-sensor unit. Conventional wavelength-interrogation techniques are not used here, and instead an optical-power-detection scheme is proposed to directly calibrate the measurand, i.e., the strain. Unlike the conventional approach in a multiplexed sensing system, the presented power-detection-based interrogation method does not need the fiber-Bragg-grating sensors to be spectrally separate. The only requirement is that the spectra of the two fiber Bragg gratings of each sensor unit in a multiplexed system be identical or slightly separate (slightly overlapping spectra would also work in the sensing scheme) and the source's optical power be sufficient for sensitive measurement. Based on a three-sensor-unit system, we demonstrate simple strain measurements of high linearity (+/- 0.4%), good sensitivity [2 microstrains (microS)], high thermal stability (+/- 0.8%), and zero cross talk. The effects of light source spectral flatness and fiber bending loss on measurement accuracy are also discussed.     

Spatial-fringe-modulation-based quality map for phase unwrapping

The quality-guided algorithm is a method widely used in phase unwrapping. The algorithm uses a quality map to guide its unwrapping process, and its validity depends on whether the quality map can truly reflect phase quality. In fringe projection surface profilometry, discontinuous surface structure, low surface reflectivity, and saturation of the image-recording system are sources of unreliable phase data. To facilitate the unwrapping process, we demonstrate an accurate quality map based on spatial fringe modulation, which is extracted from a single fringe pattern. Compared with temporal fringe modulation, the new criterion is more sensitive to spatial structure changes and less dependent on illumination conditions.     

Control of phase of fringes in speckle interferometry for application of fringe scanning method

The speckle interferometry is an effective technique in the displacement measurement of a structure with a rough surface. However, when the fringe scanning technique is introduced to speckle interferometry for improving the measurement resolution, generally two speckle patterns before and after the deformation of the measurement object and another speckle pattern obtained under different conditions from these two speckle patterns are required at least. So, three speckle patterns are generally required for precise fringe analysis as a minimum condition. In this paper, a method for introducing the fringe scanning method is proposed by controlling the phase of the specklegram as a fringe image using filtering techniques. Then, the temporal fringe analysis method that uses only two speckle patterns are proposed for speckle interferometry. As the result of experiments, it is shown that high precise fringe analysis can be realized by the fringe scanning methods using only two speckle patterns for the displacement measurement with a large deformation.     

Enhanced dual-frequency pattern scheme based on spatial-temporal fringes method

One of the major challenges of employing a dual-frequency phase-shifting algorithm for phase retrieval is its sensitivity to noise. Yun et al proposed a dual-frequency method based on the Fourier transform profilometry, yet the low-frequency lobes are close to each other for accurate band-pass filtering. In the light of this problem, a novel dual-frequency pattern based on the spatial-temporal fringes (STF) method is developed in this paper. Three fringe patterns with two different frequencies are required. The low-frequency phase is obtained from two low-frequency fringe patterns by the STF method, so the signal lobes can be extracted accurately as they are far away from each other. The high-frequency phase is retrieved from another fringe pattern without the impact of the DC component. Simulations and experiments are conducted to demonstrate the excellent precision of the proposed method.     

Natural demodulation of two-dimensional fringe patterns. II. Stationary phase analysis of the spiral phase quadrature transform

Utilizing the asymptotic method of stationary phase, I derive expressions for the Fourier transform of a two-dimensional fringe pattern. The method assumes that both the amplitude and the phase of the fringe pattern are well-behaved differentiable functions. Applying the limits in two distinct ways, I show, first, that the spiral phase (or vortex) transform approaches the ideal quadrature transform asymptotically and, second, that the approximation errors increase with the relative curvature of the fringes. The results confirm the validity of the recently proposed spiral phase transform method for the direct demodulation of closed fringe patterns.     

Local frequency estimation for the fringe pattern with a spatial carrier: principle and applications

A local frequency estimation approach for the fringe pattern with a spatial carrier by which the 2D spatial frequencies at a certain pixel are estimated from its neighborhood is presented. The applications of this approach in the fringe pattern analyses are also introduced. First, a 2D spatial carrier phase-shifting algorithm is derived. With it the detuning errors induced by frequency mismatching are avoided, and the stronger phase deformations can be successfully coped with. Second, a novel aperture extrapolation method is developed by which the phase accuracies of the Fourier-transform method at the aperture boundaries are effectively improved.     

Fly Height Measurement Based on Phase Comparison Michelson Interferometry Using Low-Coherence Light Source

We present a method for measuring head fly height in hard disk drives using phase comparison Michelson interferometry (PCMI), which compares the phases of two interference fringe patterns formed respectively on the inner surface of a glass disk and the air-bearing surface of a fly head slider through the glass disk. To suppress interference noise and further enhance measurement accuracy, we adopted a low-coherence light source as an illumination source to replace a high-coherence laser. The captured fringe images enabled us to extract ridge lines much more accurately than with a laser. We compared our measurements in the sub-10 nm spacing range with calculations and found excellent agreement.