Novel Multi-target Distance Metrology for Multi-probe Application using Chirped Laser
Lead Research Organisation:
University of South Wales
Department Name: Faculty of Advanced Technology
Abstract
This 3 year project intends to develop a new high repetition mode hop free chirped laser that allows major enhancements in an combined multilateration (CM) instrument. This will enable additional distance measurements to be carried out at an accuracy of 0.1mm over a distance of 10m. This project will require an experienced RA to develop the laser and detection system so that a state of the art instrument can be realised. The RA will be expected to work closely with NPL and be based at their facility in the third year. The research will produce an instrument that greatly simplifies manufacturing measurements without compromising accuracy. Commercially, this instrument will have a market potential of 10m/year and will provide enormous added value to the UK's manufacturing potential.
Planned Impact
The world beating CM instrument that will be enabled by this research will have numerous commercial and academic impacts. The pathways to impact will involve a combination of : 1) Identifying and engaging with commercial end users; 2) Identifying applications in a variety of environments with commercial users; 3) Establish links with researchers in a number of fields (including astronomy and particle physics) who may be able to develop applications for research outcomes; 4) Developing relationships with Renishaw and others to identify market opportunities; 5) Examine exploitation opportunities for the novel tuneable laser; 6) Filing key patents in this area alongside NPL via the Collaboration Agreement; 7) Dissemination of the research via academic publications; Commercially, the chirped laser CM instrument will enable cost effective real-time measurements on large artefacts without the necessary down time of measuring off line. This real-time but accurate measurement capability combined with the conventional CM data will radically change the manufacturing process and build time and help to reduce unnecessary waste. One key end user of the new instrument would be Airbus who have made large investments in new planes and where the cost of the plane is paramount (expected reduction in airplane costs are 1M/year). In order to achieve lower cost planes the whole manufacturing process requires a step change and metrology will play a key role in this. Providing real-time metrology within the shop floor environment can and will enable the changes required through reduced process time, less waste and easier component marrying. A direct service would also be provided by NPL for calibrated measurements based on this instrument. We also envisage enormous exploitation opportunities for the novel tuneable laser. These include spectroscopic applications such as paint pigmentation analysis (high volume, low cost), Raman/lidar/DNA sequencers (reasonable volume, high cost), sensors applications (distributed FBG sensors), bar code scanners, display (vector scanning etc) etc. These markets could in themselves be very significant and all would benefit from this important research. Again for these markets we foresee exploitation routes through companies such as Renishaw (Raman) and Cymtec (laser module).The dissemination of the research will be via publications such as Applied Optics, Optics Letts, IEEE measurement and Instrumentation, and key conferences such as CLEO, Photonics West etc so as to ensure that all relevant sectors are made aware of the impact of this technology.
Publications
A. Lewis
Multi-target multi-sensor 6DOF self-traceable dynamic metrology system for large volumes based on frequency-scanning interferometry
in MacroSCALE 2014 proceedings
Gong Y
(2015)
Current control of light by nonreciprocal magnetoplasmonics
in Applied Physics Letters
Gong Y
(2013)
Coherent emission of light using stacked gratings
in Physical Review B
Gong Y
(2012)
Spoof four-wave mixing for all-optical wavelength conversion.
in Optics express
Gong Y
(2017)
Highly efficient and broadband mid-infrared metamaterial thermal emitter for optical gas sensing.
in Optics letters
Lin H
(2016)
Dual-wavelength CW a-cut Nd:YVO4 laser at 1064.3 and 1066.7 nm
in Optik
Lin H
(2017)
Continuous-wave Nd:GYSGG laser at 1.1 µm
in Journal of Modern Optics
Martinez J
(2015)
Dual-Sweep Frequency Scanning Interferometry Using Four Wave Mixing
in IEEE Photonics Technology Letters
Nigel Copner (Inventor)
(2012)
Mode hop free tunable blue laser
Description | We developed a new way for dual laser frequency sweeping interferometry. The proposed novel method enables fast, precise, and cost effective 3-D distance measurement. We have recently submitted a new proposal to EPSRC. |
Exploitation Route | Our findings could find great application in real-time 3D metrolog, and can also find applications for fast sweeping laser sources for OCT. |
Sectors | Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software),Healthcare,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology |
Description | Collaboration between NPL and USW |
Organisation | National Physical Laboratory |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Expertise in four wave mixing technology for novel dual-beam Frequency scanning interferometry to improve distance measurements in industrial environments. |
Collaborator Contribution | Extended founding for 12 months research fellow in university of South Wales. |
Impact | A prototype for Dual laser frequency sweep interferometry with improved vibration and displacement cancellation ability |
Start Year | 2015 |
Description | Commercial agreement and collaboration between NPL and USW |
Organisation | National Physical Laboratory |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Expertise in non-linear optics and optical components assemblies and buildings to provide suitable optoelectronic devices for range measurement purposes with the final aim of building a complete commercially viable location system. |
Collaborator Contribution | Expertise in optical metrology, FSI range measurements and spatial location with the final aim of building a complete commercially viable location system. Extended founding for three months research fellow in university of South Wales |
Impact | -IP claim GB1411206.4, 2014 -Contract extension for research fellow -Macroscale 2014 conference paper "Multi-target multi-sensor 6DOF self-traceable dynamic metrology system for large volumes based on frequency-scanning interferometry" -Pending IEEE PTL publication "Dual-Sweep Frequency Scanning Interferometry Using Four Wave Mixing" |
Start Year | 2014 |
Title | Dual laser frequency sweep interferometry system and method |
Description | Frequency scanning interferometry is a well known technique to measure the distance to a reflecting target. However, variations in the optical path length during the finite measurement time severely limit the applicability of the method in real world environments. By the use of a second swept source measurements become immune to these variations. The use of a second source implies a great increase in costs and complexity. In this invention, we use four wave mixing for the generation of the secondary swept frequency source. This greatly reduces the increase in costs and solves the synchronization issues often encountered by dual laser systems. A prototype has been built and tested against induced variations in the optical path length, proving the ability of the technique to improve distance measurements in industrial environments. |
IP Reference | GB1411206.4 |
Protection | Patent granted |
Year Protection Granted | 2014 |
Licensed | Yes |
Impact | The proposed dual laser frequency sweep interferometry have promising applications in high precision distance measurements in real time in industrial environments where large components are being assembled or machines are operating. |
Title | Dual laser frequency sweep interferometry system and method with vibration and displacement cancellation |
Description | Frequency scanning interferometry is a well known technique to measure the distance to a reflecting target. However, variations in the optical path length during the finite measurement time severely limit the applicability of the method in real world environments. By the use of a second swept source measurements become immune to these variations. Our technology is based in the generation of a secondary sweep without the use of a second source, through the application of four wave mixing (a non linear effect). A prototype has been built and tested against induced variations in the optical path length, proving the ability of the technique to improve distance measurements in industrial environments with the use of our new technique based on FSI/FWM combination. |
Type Of Technology | New/Improved Technique/Technology |
Year Produced | 2014 |
Impact | The new technique provides an important impact in cost, complexity and flexibility of dual FSI based systems of range estimation. Suppressing the need of one of the sweep sources greatly reduces the cost of the final system. The complications associated with the required extra components for synchronization of two independent sources not only increase the cost, but also makes the process much more complicated in development, while the sweep generation through FWM works directly and without additional sync issues FWM generation due to its nature and speed immediately adapts to any change in the source, which makes it suitable to work with different original sources without further complications. This improved technique has been presented in an IP claim pending status (GB1411206.4). A complete detailed technical report has been written describing the process to build these devices and can be provided if requested. |