The surface roughness parameters encoded in a speckle pattern can be effectively extracted through correlation experiments. In the case of spectrally correlated speckle images, the degree of decorrelation arises from wavelength difference in the laser light irradiated on the surface. To obtain accurate results in such methodology, a proper design of experiments is important due to more than one parameter involved in the experiment. Here, experimental investigations and parametric studies of surface roughness measurements using spectral speckle correlation methodology are presented, considering the potential variables in the system. The sources of error and factors affecting the accuracy in measurement are identified and the experimental results obtained from standard calibration plate samples are presented.
A speckle pattern is a direct fingerprint of surface height variation on the sample. In this paper, angular speckle correlation technique is applied to estimate surface roughness Ra of an additive manufactured sample with different surface roughness Ra values varying from 5μm to 20μm. Feasibility study is conducted to evaluate the correct incidence and the change in incidence angle for angular speckle correlation. Speckle correlation is computed from two speckle images that are recorded at two different incidence angles on the rough surface and surface roughness information is gleaned. Test results in terms of surface roughness measurement from standard calibration plate and additive layer manufactured samples are presented.
Surface characterization of the working components has always been a subject of interest among researchers and industry specialists. Especially in the aerospace industry where the aerodynamic capabilities are largely altered by the surface quality of the component of interest, there remains an extensive need for developing systems for effectively characterizing the surface quality. To realize an optical based non-contact and an in-line surface roughness measurement system, it is essential to understand the relationship between the quality of the surface and statistical parameter of the reflected speckles. The range of the measurement system being proportional to the wavelength of light used makes the analysis fundamentally important in order to understand the properties of speckles at a different wavelength. In this context, this paper examines the nature of the formed IR speckles from three different diffusers by analyzing their raw structure. Image processing algorithms that are developed study the different parameters of the 8-bit binary speckles, namely, the fractal property and number of connecting components. The paper also discusses the future work direction on relating the proposed analysis to derive the algorithm required for evaluating the surface finish parameters.
The use of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) composite materials in the aerospace industry have far improved the load carrying properties and the design flexibility of aircraft structures. A high strength to weight ratio, low thermal conductivity, and a low thermal expansion coefficient gives it an edge for applications demanding stringent loading conditions. Specifically, this paper focuses on the behavior of CFRP composites under stringent thermal loads. The properties of composites are largely affected by external thermal loads, especially when the loads are beyond the glass temperature, Tg, of the composite. Beyond this, the composites are subject to prominent changes in mechanical and thermal properties which may further lead to material decomposition. Furthermore, thermal damage formation being chaotic, a strict dimension cannot be associated with the formed damage. In this context, this paper focuses on comparing multiple speckle image analysis algorithms to effectively characterize the formed thermal damages on the CFRP specimen. This would provide us with a fast method for quantifying the extent of heat damage in carbon composites, thus reducing the required time for inspection. The image analysis methods used for the comparison include fractal dimensional analysis of the formed speckle pattern and analysis of number and size of various connecting elements in the binary image.
In manufacturing engineering the surface finish of a machined component is of fundamental importance in order to ensure its performance. A non-contact and non-destructive device based on optical technique, is a promising alternative to stylus based device for carrying out measurement of surface quality. In addition to this, in situ monitoring of surface roughness on a workpiece is an important requirement in modern machining process, since it would increase on-line machining rate and consequently productivity. Here, measurement approaches and system configuration for surface roughness measurement using laser speckle intensity and contrast are discussed. The technique would allow full-field measurement over sample of interest having both rough and shiny surface properties. Measurement data on standard calibration plates is presented with details on the measurement accuracy and reliability.
Gradient-Index (GRIN) lenses are characterized by its small diameter and length, enabling them to be an effective lens for an integrated probe based imaging system. For a speckle-based surface metrology system, the imaging lens plays an important role in deciding the statistical dimensions of the speckles. In such cases, the design and simulation of the lens system would be a key process to better the performance of the lensed imaging fiber probe. In this context, this paper focuses on the design of lensed fiber probes for a speckle-based surface metrological imaging system that can find intra cavity interrogation applications. Different optical properties of GRIN lenses and imaging fibers are considered while designing the final probe distal end to meet the targeted specifications. Singlet GRIN lens configuration is analyzed for a front view configuration and a parameter optimization has been carried out to obtain the specifications including the field-of-view, resolution, working distance and magnification.
Long-range surface plasmon polariton (LRSPP) interference in a dielectric supported bimetal layer configuration is analyzed for nanoscale periodic feature fabrication. The single metal layer in a conventional configuration has been split into a bimetal layer configuration supported by a dielectric layer to enable LRSPP interference in different layers. It is shown that the configuration can be implemented in two different ways to record the interference pattern with high exposure depth and high contrast. Subwavelength periodic pattern having a half-pitch resolution of 65 nm at 446-nm wavelength is illustrated with the proposed two-beam and four-beam LRSPP interference configurations.
KEYWORDS: Thin film solar cells, Near field optics, Optical lithography, Absorption, Near field, Metals, Thin films, Silicon solar cells, Surface plasmons, Solar energy
Near field optics concepts have introduced a paradigm shift in a wide variety of engineering fields in the recent past and the most significant applications of this fundamental physics concepts have been in the applied engineering problems such as improved broad band light absorption thereby enhancing the conversion efficiency of thin silicon solar cells. Also, for writing patterned structures or features using non contact optical methodologies have enabled near field optics assisted fabrication and related applications. The technology involving optics concepts and methodologies targeting energy sector have seen the impact of the same with a challenging trend to achieve smaller features or devices with micro- or nano-scale features. This demands automatically the need for achieving much smaller features beyond the forecasted sub- 30nm feature patterning methodologies. To meet such demands, a new branch of near- field optical concepts for improving patterning resolution has started developing which have been receiving considerable attention for its ability to produce high density sub-wavelength features that can find tremendous energy harvesting applications. This paper in this context mainly focuses on the review of different near field optical concepts and approaches developed for patterning by the author’s group at NTU. Different concepts were explored incorporating surface Plasmon waves ( LSPs, SPPs, LRSPs), gap modes as well as their interference in order to high resolution features and pattern dimensions at nano-scales. The absorbance of near band gap light is small and hence structuring of thin film solar cell is very important for increasing the absorbance by light trapping. The manuscript conclude by correlating the above said aspects and the challenges in achieving improved light conversion in thin film solar cells.
Series coupled triple ring resonators are designed and fabricated on a SOI platform as a thermo-optic wavelength selective switch (TO-WSS) having individual ring resonance tunability and narrow band, flat-top spectrum with high channel isolation. Optimal detuning combinations of the ring resonators are identified in the WSS to achieve an effective OFF state with high channel extinction, low switching cross talk, and low loss of OFF state. It is observed that detuned OFF states with a single ring which is adjacent to the input bus waveguide and two rings which are adjacent to the drop waveguide, are more effective for the highest channel extinction, lowest switching cross talk, and zero loss of OFF state in the WSS. A maximum channel extinction of 22 dB, lowest switching cross talk of −30 dB, and a zero loss of OFF state is achieved with a single ring detuned OFF state using a switching power of 48 mW.
This paper illustrates the design and fabrication of wavelength filters using resonant cavity which is constructed out of a
phase shifted vertical side wall grating. The resonant cavity is analyzed as a Fabry-Perot resonator and the variation in
cavity quality factor (Q) and transmission with respect to various grating parameters is studied. It is observed that a high
Q-factor together with a high transmittivity can be obtained for this wavelength filter through optimization in grating
length and reduction in the out of plane loss. Multiple phase shifts are applied in the grating to get a coupled cavity
configuration so that channel isolation and spectral shape is improved. The channel wavelengths in a DWDM ITU grid
C band (100GHz spacing) is simulated by varying the phase shift length of the gratings and good channel isolation
with constant Q -factor and transmittivity is observed for the spectrum. The paper also explains the effective fabrication
process flow for this structure on a silicon wafer through e-beam lithography and Reactive Ion Etching (RIE).
A taper coupler with multimode input and single mode output is presented for coupling between edge emitting laser
diode and silicon waveguide. The tapered coupler structure is optimized and tolerance for laser diode placement is
studied. A typical coupling efficiency of -2dB is achieved from laser diode to silicon waveguide. With tolerance of +/-
4μm laterally or vertically, the variation of the coupling efficiency is about 3dB. The tolerance is large compared with
other methods. Tilting angle at laser diode and the small gap between tapered coupler and silicon waveguide also affect
the overall coupling. From our studies, horizontal and vertical offsets are more critical for laser diode placement in order
to have a good coupling. The new design can be applied to photonics packaging because it will make passive assembly
easier by having larger tolerance for packaging compared with the conventional method with lens.
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