Science with the Space Interferometry Mission
The Space Interferometry Mission (SIM) will be NASA's first dedicated space-based optical interferometer.
Interferometry↗
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Results for “INTERFEROMETRY”
Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.
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SIM vs. SOS: A Space Interferometry Trade Study
This study was undertaken at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory to identify salient features of two competing instrument designs and to select the design that best meets the goals of the Space Interferometry Mission.
trade-study↗
Mutual Diffusion Coefficients and Refractive Index Increments of K 2 SO 4 (aq) at 298.15 K from Rayleigh Interferometry
Here, isothermal mutual diffusion coefficients (interdiffusion coefficients) were measured for K 2 SO 4 (aq) at 298.15 ± 0.005 K, at numerous concentrations ranging from dilute solutions to near saturation (0.59648 mol∙dm -3 ; 0.61349 mol∙kg -1 ) under free diffusion boundary conditions, using high precision Rayleigh interferometry. Under the experimental conditions these diffusion coefficients are on the volume-fixed reference frame D v . Two series of experiments were performed, the first using the traditional experimental approach with a mercury lamp source and with the interference patterns being recorded on glass photographic plates, and the second with a He-Ne laser light source and computerized data acquisition using a photodiode array. The results from both series of experiments are in excellent agreement, and generally yield diffusion coefficients precise to at least 0.002 x 10 -9 m 2 ∙s 1 (0.15% to 0.19%) and in most cases to 0.001 x 10 -9 m 2 ∙s -1 (0.07% to 0.1%). These experiments also yield accurate values of the refractive index differences for the solution pairs used in the diffusion experiments. The new diffusion coefficients are compared to two sets of published values of diffusion coefficients for K 2 SO 4 (aq) which are somewhat discrepant from each other. This study extends and complements our earlier work on the diffusion coefficients of the most common brine salts: NaCl(aq), KCl(aq), MgCl 2 (aq), CaCl 2 (aq), Na 2 SO 4 (aq), ] MgSO 4 (aq), NaHCO 3 (aq), and KHCO 3 (aq) at 298.15 K.
37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
Single-shot measurement of the free-space time domain terahertz (THz) waveforms by iterative frequency-domain interferometry technology
In this paper, a design of single-shot iterative frequency-domain interferometry (IFDI) technology is presented to measure ultrafast phase. Compared with frequency domain holography (FDH), IFDI technology has better accuracy and stability in some situations. Besides, combined with electro-optic sampling, comparative experiments on the free-space time domain terahertz waveforms measurement using FDH, IFDI, and femtosecond pump-probe technology are conducted, and the results confirm the feasibility and accuracy of the IFDI.
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
Impact Damage Investigation on Glass Fiber-Reinforced Plate Laminates at Room and Lower Temperatures through Ultrasound Testing and Electronic Speckle Pattern Interferometry
In this work, the evaluation of damage area due to low-velocity impact tests at different impact energy values and different temperatures on glass fiber-reinforced plate laminates was investigated by two nondestructive evaluation (NDE) techniques, electronic speckle pattern interferometry (ESPI) and ultrasound testing (UT). Composites are characterized by several interacting failure modes such as matrix breakage, fiber failure and delaminations, which can be simultaneously induced by low-velocity impacts and can be different depending on the temperature. It can be complicated to detect by visual inspections of the structures for such phenomena. This paper aims to investigate the dependence of the damaged area with respect to temperature variation on glass fiber composite laminates. GF composite laminates were impacted with three energy levels (5, 10, 20 J) and at different temperatures (room temperature, − 25, − 50 °C) by a drop weight impact machine. The results show that at decreasing temperature, a decrease in the damage extension was observed, which is more evident at increasing impact energy. Moreover, as expected, the results confirm UT and ESPI techniques are able to identify the barely visible low-velocity impact damage. However, some limitations for detection were found in ESPI. Nonetheless, the ESPI technique can be considered as one of the useful NDE methods if the calibration and the post-processing methods are improved.
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
Digital phase demodulation for low-coherence interferometry-based fiber-optic sensors
In this paper, we describe a digital phase demodulation scheme for low-coherence interferometry-based fiber-optic sensors by employing a simple generation of phase-shifted signals at the interrogation interferometer. The scheme allows a real-time calibration process and offers capability of measuring large variations (up to the coherence of the light source) at the bandwidth that is only limited by the data acquisition system. Finally, the proposed phase demodulation method is analytically derived and its validity and performance are experimentally verified using fiber-optic Fabry–Perot sensors for measurement of strains and vibrations.
47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
Note: Phase retrieval method for analyzing single-phase displacement interferometry data
We present a phase retrieval method (PRM) for analyzing single-phase displacement interferometry measurements on rapidly changing velocity histories, including photon Doppler velocimetry (PDV). PRM identifies the peaks and valleys as well as zero-crossing points in a PDV time series, performs normalization and extracts point-by-point phase and thus velocity information. PRM does not require a wide time window as in sliding window Fourier transformation, and thus improves the effective temporal resolution. This method is implemented in analyzing PDV data obtained from gas gun experiments, and validated against simultaneous measurements with velocity interferometer system for any reflector.
46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
Measurement of dynamic patterns of an elastic membrane at bi-modal vibration using high speed electronic speckle pattern interferometry
Implementing a hybrid arrangement of Laser Doppler Vibrometry (LDV) and high speed Electronic Speckle Pattern Interferometry (ESPI) we were able to measure the dynamic patterns of a flat rectangular elastic membrane clamped at its edges stimulated with the sum of two resonance frequencies. ESPI is a versatile technique to analyze in real-time the deformation of a membrane since its low computational cost and easy implementation of the optical setup. Elastic membranes present nonlinear behaviors when stimulated with low amplitude signals. The elastic membrane under test, with several non rational related vibrating modals below the 200 Hz, was stimulated with two consecutives resonant frequencies. The ESPI patterns, acquired at high speed rates, shown a similar behavior for the dual frequency stimulation as in the case of patterns formed with the entrainment frequency. We think this may be related to the effects observed in the application of dual frequency stimulation in ultrasound.
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
High-frequency fluctuation measurements by far-infrared laser Faraday-effect polarimetry-interferometry and forward scattering system on MST
Magnetic fluctuation-induced transport driven by global tearing modes has been measured by Faraday-effect polarimetry and interferometry (phase measurements) in the MST reversed field pinch. However, the role of small-scale broadband magnetic and density turbulence in transport remains unknown. In order to investigate broadband magnetic turbulence, we plan to upgrade the existing detector system by using planar-diode fundamental waveguide mixers optimized for high sensitivity. Initial tests indicate these mixers have ×10 sensitivity improvement compared to currently employed corner-cube Schottky-diode mixers and ×5 lower noise. Compact mixer design will allow us to resolve the wavenumbers up to k ∼ 1–2 cm{sup −1} for beam width w = 1.5 cm and 15 cm{sup −1} for beam width w = 2 mm. The system can also be used to measure the scattered signal (amplitude measurement) induced by both plasma density and magnetic fluctuations.
46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
Atom interferometry in space: Thermal management and magnetic shielding
Atom interferometry is an exciting tool to probe fundamental physics. It is considered especially apt to test the universality of free fall by using two different sorts of atoms. The increasing sensitivity required for this kind of experiment sets severe requirements on its environments, instrument control, and systematic effects. This can partially be mitigated by going to space as was proposed, for example, in the Spacetime Explorer and Quantum Equivalence Principle Space Test (STE-QUEST) mission. However, the requirements on the instrument are still very challenging. For example, the specifications of the STE-QUEST mission imply that the Feshbach coils of the atom interferometer are allowed to change their radius only by about 260 nm or 2.6 × 10{sup −4} % due to thermal expansion although they consume an average power of 22 W. Also Earth's magnetic field has to be suppressed by a factor of 10{sup 5}. We show in this article that with the right design such thermal and magnetic requirements can indeed be met and that these are not an impediment for the exciting physics possible with atom interferometers in space.
46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
Diagnosing collisions of magnetized, high energy density plasma flows using a combination of collective Thomson scattering, Faraday rotation, and interferometry (invited)
A suite of laser based diagnostics is used to study interactions of magnetised, supersonic, radiatively cooled plasma flows produced using the Magpie pulse power generator (1.4 MA, 240 ns rise time). Collective optical Thomson scattering measures the time-resolved local flow velocity and temperature across 7–14 spatial positions. The scattering spectrum is recorded from multiple directions, allowing more accurate reconstruction of the flow velocity vectors. The areal electron density is measured using 2D interferometry; optimisation and analysis are discussed. The Faraday rotation diagnostic, operating at 1053 nm, measures the magnetic field distribution in the plasma. Measurements obtained simultaneously by these diagnostics are used to constrain analysis, increasing the accuracy of interpretation.
46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
Temperature measurement of axisymmetric flames under the influence of magnetic field using Talbot interferometry
Combustion process control is related with ecological improvement and the problem of energy efficiency; hence it has a wide interest at both economical and scientific levels. Application of a magnetic field is one of the most promising methods of combustion control. The presence of magnetic field induces the changes in flame behavior. The effect of uniform magnetic field developed by permanent magnet is studied by Talbot interferometry using circular gratings. Experimental results show a small decrease in flame temperature and increase in flame dimensions.
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
Study of non-contact measurement of the thermal expansion coefficients of materials based on laser feedback interferometry
The noncooperative and ultrahigh sensitive length measurement approach is of great significance to the study of a high-precision thermal expansion coefficient (TEC) determination of materials at a wide temperature range. The novel approach is presented in this paper based on the Nd:YAG microchip laser feedback interferometry with 1064 nm wavelength, the beam frequency of which is shifted by a pair of acousto-optic modulators and then the heterodyne phase measurement technique is used. The sample is placed in a muffle furnace with two coaxial holes opened on the opposite furnace walls. The measurement beams are perpendicular and coaxial on each surface of the sample, the configuration which can not only achieve the length measurement of sample but also eliminate the influence of the distortion of the sample supporter. The reference beams inject on the reference mirrors which are put as possible as near the holes, respectively, to eliminate the air disturbances and the influence of thermal lens effect out of the furnace chamber. For validation, the thermal expansion coefficients of aluminum and steel 45 samples are measured from room temperature to 748 K, which proved measurement repeatability of TECs is better than 0.6 × 10{sup −6}(K{sup −1}) at the range of 298 K–598 K and the high-sensitive non-contact measurement of the low reflectivity surface induced by the oxidization of the samples at the range of 598 K–748 K.
46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
Imaging of transient surface acoustic waves by full-field photorefractive interferometry
A stroboscopic full-field imaging technique based on photorefractive interferometry for the visualization of rapidly changing surface displacement fields by using of a standard charge-coupled device (CCD) camera is presented. The photorefractive buildup of the space charge field during and after probe laser pulses is simulated numerically. The resulting anisotropic diffraction upon the refractive index grating and the interference between the polarization-rotated diffracted reference beam and the transmitted signal beam are modeled theoretically. The method is experimentally demonstrated by full-field imaging of the propagation of photoacoustically generated surface acoustic waves with a temporal resolution of nanoseconds. The surface acoustic wave propagation in a 23 mm × 17 mm area on an aluminum plate was visualized with 520 × 696 pixels of the CCD sensor, yielding a spatial resolution of 33 μm. The short pulse duration (8 ns) of the probe laser yields the capability of imaging SAWs with frequencies up to 60 MHz.
46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
Fast phase stabilization of a low frequency beat note for atom interferometry
Atom interferometry experiments rely on the ability to obtain a stable signal that corresponds to an atomic phase. For interferometers that use laser beams to manipulate the atoms, noise in the lasers can lead to errors in the atomic measurement. In particular, it is often necessary to actively stabilize the optical phase between two frequency components of the beams. Typically this is achieved using a time-domain measurement of a beat note between the two frequencies. This becomes challenging when the frequency difference is small and the phase measurement must be made quickly. The method presented here instead uses a spatial interference detection to rapidly measure the optical phase for arbitrary frequency differences. A feedback system operating at a bandwidth of about 10 MHz could then correct the phase in about 3 μs. This time is short enough that the phase correction could be applied at the start of a laser pulse without appreciably degrading the fidelity of the atom interferometer operation. The phase stabilization system was demonstrated in a simple atom interferometer measurement of the {sup 87}Rb recoil frequency.
46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
Note: Real-time monitoring via second-harmonic interferometry of a flow gas cell for laser wakefield acceleration
The use of a gas cell as a target for laser wakefield acceleration (LWFA) offers the possibility to obtain stable and manageable laser-plasma interaction process, a mandatory condition for practical applications of this emerging technique, especially in multi-stage accelerators. In order to obtain full control of the gas particle number density in the interaction region, thus allowing for a long term stable and manageable LWFA, real-time monitoring is necessary. In fact, the ideal gas law cannot be used to estimate the particle density inside the flow cell based on the preset backing pressure and the room temperature because the gas flow depends on several factors like tubing, regulators, and valves in the gas supply system, as well as vacuum chamber volume and vacuum pump speed/throughput. Here, second-harmonic interferometry is applied to measure the particle number density inside a flow gas cell designed for LWFA. The results demonstrate that real-time monitoring is achieved and that using low backing pressure gas (<1 bar) and different cell orifice diameters (<2 mm) it is possible to finely tune the number density up to the 10{sup 19} cm{sup −3} range well suited for LWFA.
46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
Laser-induced plasmas in air studied using two-color interferometry
Temporally and spatially resolved density profiles of Cu atoms, electrons, and compressed air, from laser-induced copper plasmas in air, are measured using fast spectral imaging and two-color interferometry. From the intensified CCD images filtered by a narrow-band-pass filter centered at 515.32 nm, the Cu atoms expansion route is estimated and used to determine the position of the fracture surface between the Cu atoms and the air. Results indicate that the Cu atoms density at distances closer to the target (0–0.4 mm) is quite low, with the maximum density appearing at the edge of the plasma's core being ∼4.6 × 10{sup 24 }m{sup −3} at 304 ns. The free electrons are mainly located in the internal region of the plume, which is supposed to have a higher temperature. The density of the shock wave is (4–6) × 10{sup 25 }m{sup −3}, corresponding to air compression of a factor of 1.7–2.5.
70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
Point source atom interferometry with a cloud of finite size
We demonstrate a two axis gyroscope by the use of light pulse atom interferometry with an expanding cloud of atoms in the regime where the cloud has expanded by 1.1–5 times its initial size during the interrogation. Rotations are measured by analyzing spatial fringe patterns in the atom population obtained by imaging the final cloud. The fringes arise from a correlation between an atom's initial velocity and its final position. This correlation is naturally created by the expansion of the cloud, but it also depends on the initial atomic distribution. We show that the frequency and contrast of these spatial fringes depend on the details of the initial distribution and develop an analytical model to explain this dependence. We also discuss several challenges that must be overcome to realize a high-performance gyroscope with this technique.
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗