Long-wave infrared pulsed external-cavity QCL spectrometer using a hollow waveguide gas cell.

A spectrometer built using an external cavity pulsed quantum cascade laser is described. The spectrometer has a tuning range from 10 - 13 µm (1,000 - 769 cm-1) and is designed to target volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which often exhibit water-free molecular absorption within the region. The spectrometer utilizes a hollow silica waveguide gas cell which has an internal volume of a few millilitres, a fast response time (∼1 s), and is advantageous when only low sample volumes, similar to the cell volume, are available. Propane is used as a test gas because it is easy to handle, and its spectral profile is comparable to VOCs of interest. Its absorption in the region is primarily within the ν21 band which spans from 10.55 - 11.16 µm (948 - 896 cm-1). Spectral measurements at a range of concentrations show good linearity and an Allan deviation of absorbance values recorded over a 100-minute period indicates a minimum detectable absorbance of 3.5×10-5 at an integration time of 75 s.

High sensitivity pressure measurement using optical fibre sensors mounted on a composite diaphragm.

A pressure sensor specified for aerodynamic applications and based on optical fibre strain sensors mounted on a circular glass fibre reinforced polymer membrane is presented. The use of two fibre optic strain sensing technologies is explored, the novel intrinsic fibre segment interferometry (FSI) approach and fibre Bragg gratings (FBGs), with the use of FSI shown to offer a pressure resolution that is 15 times larger than that achieved using an FBG. A number of design and fabrication issues are considered, including the position of the fibres relative to the neutral axis of the membrane and the influence of the membrane support structure on the thermal and pressure sensitivities of the sensor, with particular regards to pressure and temperature discrimination.

Polarization-sensitive transfer matrix modeling for displacement measuring interferometry.

The use of polarizing optics for both beam steering and phase measurement applications in displacement measuring interferometer designs is almost universal. Interferometer designs that employ polarizing optics in this manner are particularly sensitive to the effects of unwanted optical cavities that form within the optics due to polarization leakage and back reflections from material interfaces. Modeling techniques commonly employed in the design of such interferometers are poorly suited to the analysis of multiple passes through polarizing optics. A technique, along with an accompanying software implementation, is presented here that is capable of modeling the propagation of monochromatic plane waves through an arbitrary network of linear planar optical components.

Metre-per-second microfluidic flow velocimetry with dual beam optical coherence tomography.

A novel dual beam Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) instrument has been developed for high velocity flow measurement, principally in microfluidics applications. The scanned dual beam approach creates a pair of image-frames separated by a small spatiotemporal offset. Metre-per-second flow measurement is achieved by rapid re-imaging by the second beam allowing for particle tracking between each image-frame of the pair. Flow at 1.06 m/s using a single optical access port has been measured, more than two orders of magnitude larger than previously reported OCT systems, at centimetre depth and with millimetre scale depth of field within a microfluidic chip, whilst simultaneously imaging the microfluidic channel structure.

Influence of aberrations on confocal-based remote refractive index measurements.

Confocal scanning combined with low-coherence interferometry is used to provide remote refractive index and thickness measurements of transparent materials. The influence of lens aberrations in the confocal measurement is assessed through ray-trace modeling of the axial point-spread functions generated using optical configurations comprised of paired aspherics and paired achromats. Off-axis parabolic mirrors are suggested as an alternative to lenses and are shown to exhibit much more symmetric profiles provided the system numerical aperture is not too high. The modeled results compare favorably with experimental data generated using an optical instrument comprised of a broadband source and line-scan spectrometer. Refractive index and thickness measurements are made with each configuration with most mirror pairings offering better than twice the repeatability and accuracy of either lens pairing.

Tapered Optical Fibre Sensors: Current Trends and Future Perspectives.

The development of reliable, affordable and efficient sensors is a key step in providing tools for efficient monitoring of critical environmental parameters. This review focuses on the use of tapered optical fibres as an environmental sensing platform. Tapered fibres allow access to the evanescent wave of the propagating mode, which can be exploited to facilitate chemical sensing by spectroscopic evaluation of the medium surrounding the optical fibre, by measurement of the refractive index of the medium, or by coupling to other waveguides formed of chemically sensitive materials. In addition, the reduced diameter of the tapered section of the optical fibre can offer benefits when measuring physical parameters such as strain and temperature. A review of the basic sensing platforms implemented using tapered optical fibres and their application for development of fibre-optic physical, chemical and bio-sensors is presented.

Spectrometer-based refractive index and dispersion measurement using low-coherence interferometry with confocal scanning.

This paper describes a technique for measuring refractive index and thickness of transparent plates using a fibre-optic low-coherence interferometer. The interferometer is used to independently measure quantities related to the phase and group refractive indices, np and ng, of the material under investigation. Additionally, the dispersion of the phase index dependent quantity is measured by taking advantage of the range of wavelengths available from a broadband source. These three quantities are related to simultaneously yield np and ng as well as the geometrical thickness t of the sample. Measurements are presented for a range of transparent materials including measurements of the ordinary and extraordinary refractive indices of a birefringent sapphire window. The mean percentage errors across all the samples tested were 0.09% for np, 0.08% for np, and 0.11% for t.

Passively-coupled, low-coherence interferometric duct profiling with an astigmatism-corrected conical mirror.

Duct-profiling in test samples up to 25 mm in diameter has been demonstrated using a passive, low-coherence probe head with a depth resolution of 7.8 µm, incorporating an optical-fibre-linked conical mirror addressed by a custom-built array of single-mode fibres. Zemax modelling, and experimental assessment of instrument performance, show that degradation of focus, resulting from astigmatism introduced by the conical mirror, is mitigated by the introduction of a novel lens element. This enables a good beam focus to be achieved at distances of tens of millimetres from the cone axis, not achievable when the cone is used alone. Incorporation of the additional lens element is shown to provide a four-fold improvement in lateral imaging resolution, when compared with reflection from the conical mirror alone.

Volatile Organic Compounds Sensing Using Optical Fibre Long Period Grating with Mesoporous Nano-Scale Coating.

A long period grating (LPG) modified with a mesoporous film infused with a calixarene as a functional compound was employed for the detection of individual volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and their mixtures. The mesoporous film consisted of an inorganic part, SiO2 nanoparticles (NPs), along with an organic moiety of poly(allylamine hydrochloride) polycation PAH, which was finally infused with the functional compound, p-sulphanato calix[4]arene (CA[4]) or p-sulphanato calix[8]arene (CA[8]). The LPG sensor was designed to operate at the phase matching turning point to provide the highest sensitivity. The sensing mechanism is based on the measurement of the refractive index (RI) change induced by a complex of the VOCs with calixarene. The LPG, modified with a coating of 5 cycles of (SiO2 NPs/PAH) and infused with CA[4] or CA[8], was exposed to chloroform, benzene, toluene and acetone vapours. The British Standards test of the VOCs emissions from material (BS EN ISO 16000-9:2006) was used to test the LPG sensor performance.

Overwrite fabrication and tuning of long period gratings.

The central wavelengths of the resonance bands are critical aspect of the performance of long period gratings (LPGs) as sensors, particularly for devices designed to operate near the phase matching turning point (PMTP), where the sensitivity to measurements can vary rapidly. Generally, LPGs are characterized by their period, but the amplitude of the amplitude of the index modulation is also an important factor in determining the wavelengths of the resonance bands. Variations in fabrication between LPG sensors can increase or decrease the sensitivity of the LPG to strain, temperature or surrounding refractive index. Here, the technique of overwritten UV laser fabrication is demonstrated. It is shown that, on repeated overwriting, the resonance bands of an LPG exhibit significant wavelength shift, which can be monitored and which can be used to tune the resonance bands to the desired wavelengths. This technique is applied to periods in the range 100 to 200 µm, showing the cycle-to-cycle evolution of the resonance bands near the PMTPs of a number of cladding modes. The use of online monitoring is shown to reduce the resonance band sensor-to-sensor central wavelength variation from 10 nm to 3 nm.

Low-volume, fast response-time hollow silica waveguide gas cells for mid-IR spectroscopy.

Hollow silica waveguides (HSWs) are used to produce long path length, low-volume gas cells, and are demonstrated with quantum cascade laser spectroscopy. Absorption measurements are made using the intrapulse technique, which allows measurements to be made across a single laser pulse. Simultaneous laser light and gas coupling is achieved through the modification of commercially available gas fittings with low dead volume. Three HSW gas cell configurations with different path lengths and internal diameters are analyzed and compared with a 30 m path length astigmatic Herriott cell. Limit of detection measurements are made for the gas cells using methane at a wavelength 7.82 µm. The lowest limit of detection was provided by HSW with a bore diameter of 1000 µm and a path length of 5 m and was measured to be 0.26 ppm, with a noise equivalent absorbance of 4.1×10-4. The long-term stability of the HSW and Herriott cells is compared through analysis of the Allan-Werle variance of data collected over a 24 h period. The response times of the HSW and Herriott cells are measured to be 0.8 s and 36 s, respectively.

Range-resolved interferometric signal processing using sinusoidal optical frequency modulation.

A novel signal processing technique using sinusoidal optical frequency modulation of an inexpensive continuous-wave laser diode source is proposed that allows highly linear interferometric phase measurements in a simple, self-referencing setup. Here, the use of a smooth window function is key to suppress unwanted signal components in the demodulation process. Signals from several interferometers with unequal optical path differences can be multiplexed, and, in contrast to prior work, the optical path differences are continuously variable, greatly increasing the practicality of the scheme. In this paper, the theory of the technique is presented, an experimental implementation using three multiplexed interferometers is demonstrated, and detailed investigations quantifying issues such as linearity and robustness against instrument drift are performed.

Noise analysis for CCD-based ultraviolet and visible spectrophotometry.

We present the results of a detailed analysis of the noise behavior of two CCD spectrometers in common use, an AvaSpec-3648 CCD UV spectrometer and an Ocean Optics S2000 Vis spectrometer. Light sources used include a deuterium UV/Vis lamp and UV and visible LEDs. Common noise phenomena include source fluctuation noise, photoresponse nonuniformity, dark current noise, fixed pattern noise, and read noise. These were identified and characterized by varying light source, spectrometer settings, or temperature. A number of noise-limiting techniques are proposed, demonstrating a best-case spectroscopic noise equivalent absorbance of 3.5×10(-4) AU for the AvaSpec-3648 and 5.6×10(-4) AU for the Ocean Optics S2000 over a 30 s integration period. These techniques can be used on other CCD spectrometers to optimize performance.

Monitoring techniques for the manufacture of tapered optical fibers.

The use of a range of optical techniques to monitor the process of fabricating optical fiber tapers is investigated. Thermal imaging was used to optimize the alignment of the optical system; the transmission spectrum of the fiber was monitored to confirm that the tapers had the required optical properties and the strain induced in the fiber during tapering was monitored using in-line optical fiber Bragg gratings. Tapers were fabricated with diameters down to 5 µm and with waist lengths of 20 mm using single-mode SMF-28 fiber.

Objective speckle displacement: an extended theory for the small deformation of shaped objects.

This paper describes an extended and improved theory of the displacement of the objective speckle pattern resulting from displacement and/or deformation of a coherently illuminated diffuse object. Using the theory developed by Yamaguchi [Opt. Acta 28, 1359 (1981)], extended expressions are derived that include the influence of surface shape/gradients via the first order approximation of the shape as linear surface gradients. Both the original Yamaguchi expressions and the extended form derived here are shown experimentally to break down as the detector position moves away from the z-axis. As such, improved forms of the expressions are then presented, which remove some of the approximations used by Yamaguchi and can be used to predict the objective speckle displacement over a wide range of detector positions and surface slopes. Finally, these expressions are then verified experimentally for the speckle shifts resulting from object translations.

A long period grating-based chemical sensor insensitive to the influence of interfering parameters.

An optical fibre chemical sensor that is insensitive to interfering parameters including temperature and surrounding refractive index is described. The sensor is based upon a Mach-Zehnder interferometer formed by a pair of identical cascaded long period gratings (LPGs), with the entire device coated with a mesoporous coating of silica nanoparticles. A functional material is infused only into the coating over the section of optical fibre separating the LPGs. The transmission spectrum of the device consists of a channeled spectrum arising from interference of the core and cladding modes within the envelope of the LPG resonance band. Parameters such as temperature, strain and surrounding refractive perturb the entire device, causing the phase of the channeled spectrum and the central wavelength of the envelope shift at the same rate. Exposure of the device to the analyte of interest perturbs only the optical characteristics of the section of fibre into which the functional material was infused, thus influencing only the phase of the channeled spectrum. Measurement of the phase of the channeled spectrum relative to the central wavelength of the envelope allows the monitoring of the concentration of the analyte with no interference from other parameters.

Selective vancomycin detection using optical fibre long period gratings functionalised with molecularly imprinted polymer nanoparticles.

An optical fibre long period grating (LPG) sensor modified with molecularly imprinted polymer nanoparticles (nanoMIPs) for the specific detection of antibiotics is presented. The operation of the sensor is based on the measurement of changes in refractive index induced by the interaction of nanoMIPs deposited onto the cladding of the LPG with free vancomycin (VA). The binding of nanoMIPs to vancomycin was characterised by a binding constant of 4.3 ± 0.1 × 10(-8) M. The lowest concentration of analyte measured by the fibre sensor was 10 nM. In addition, the sensor exhibited selectivity, as much smaller responses were obtained for high concentrations (∼700 µM) of other commonly prescribed antibiotics such as amoxicillin, bleomycin and gentamicin. In addition, the response of the sensor was characterised in a complex matrix, porcine plasma, spiked with 10 µM of VA.

Frequency division multiplexing for interferometric planar Doppler velocimetry.

A new method of acquiring simultaneously the signal and reference channels used for interferometric planar Doppler velocimetry is proposed and demonstrated. The technique uses frequency division multiplexing (FDM) to facilitate the capture of the requisite images on a single camera, and is suitable for time-averaged flow measurements. Furthermore, the approach has the potential to be expanded to allow the multiplexing of additional measurement channels for multicomponent velocity measurement. The use of FDM for interferometric referencing is demonstrated experimentally with measurements of a single velocity component of a seeded axisymmetric air jet. The expansion of the technique to include multiple velocity components was then investigated theoretically and experimentally to account for bandwidth, crosstalk, and dynamic range limitations. The technique offers reduced camera noise, automatic background light suppression, and crosstalk levels of typically <10%. Furthermore, as this crosstalk is dependent upon the channel modulations applied, it can be corrected for in postprocessing.

Fabrication of fiber optic long period gratings operating at the phase matching turning point using an ultraviolet laser.

It is known that optical fiber long period gratings (LPGs) exhibit their highest sensitivity to environmental perturbation when the period is such that the phase matching condition is satisfied at its turning point. The reproducible fabrication of LPGs with parameters satisfying this condition requires high resolution control over the properties of the grating. The performance of an LPG fabrication system based on the point-by-point UV exposure approach is analyzed in this paper, and the control of factors influencing reproducibility, including period, duty cycle, and the environment in which the device is fabricated, is explored.

Frequency-division multiplexing for multicomponent shearography.

A new method of multiplexing the speckle patterns needed in multicomponent digital shearography systems is presented. Frequency-division multiplexing (FDM) of the measurement channels is achieved by recording speckle patterns from objects illuminated by intensity-modulated sources. Each source is modulated at a discrete frequency, which is less than half of the camera frame rate, and a bank of images of the modulated speckle patterns is captured. This allows for pixel-by-pixel Fourier-based extraction of the individual speckle patterns from peaks in the power spectra. The approach is demonstrated with a two-component in-plane shearography instrument.