As specialized materials are developed for various applications, it becomes desirable to test them under adverse conditions, such as at elevated temperatures and in harsh environments. It is increasingly important that sensors be developed to meet the growing needs of research and industry. The ability of sapphire to withstand elevated temperatures and many chemically harsh environments has long been recognized. However, currently available sapphire fiber possesses poor optical quality and is not available with a cladding. It has found use in a variety of temperature sensors, but the investigation of sapphire-based strain and displacement sensors has been limited. The primary development of a white-light Michelson interferometer that utilizes a sapphire fiber sensing head is presented in this thesis. Development includes efforts to combat the poor optical quality of the sapphire fiber, minimize polarization mode fading, and preferentially excite the fundamental mode of the sapphire fiber. This thesis demonstrates the feasibility of fabricating a Michelson white-light interferometer capable of measuring displacements in environments ranging from room temperature to 800 degrees Celsius. The sensor developed in this work is capable of measuring displacements exceeding 6.4 millimeters at room temperature, and exceeding 1 millimeter at 800 degrees Celsius. This thesis also presents the application of this sensor to the alignment of a sapphire-fiber based Fabry-Perot sensor. This technique allows the Fabry-Perot sensor to be aligned so that usable fringes are always obtained. Alignment of the sapphire-fiber based Fabry-Perot sensors has been considered prohibitively difficult. / Master of Science

Orientador: Keizo Yukimitu / Resumo: Vidros a base de óxidos de metais pesados (TeO2, WO3, Bi2O3) apresentam alto índice de refração, altos valores de não-linearidade óptica e alta constante dielétrica. Essas propriedades físicas possibilitam diversas aplicações, como, por exemplo, para comutação ultrarrápida em dispositivos ópticos e, exibem, quando dopados com terras raras, importantes propriedades de luminescência [1]. Vidros dos sistemas ternários xTeO2 – yB2O3 – zWO3 e xTeO2 – yB2O3 – kBi2O3 foram preparados pelo método “melt-quenching” com x de 70 a 45%mol, y de 40 a 10%mol, z de 30 a 15%mol e k com variação de 20 a 10%mol. Introduzimos o óxido de Boro para dar maior viscosidade ao material e aumentar a estabilidade térmica. Foram obtidas amostras homogêneas e transparentes para as seguintes composições: 70TeO2–10B2O3–20WO3, 70TeO2–20B2O3–10Bi2O3 e 55TeO2 –30B2O3–15Bi2O3. Dados de espectroscopia de IR revelaram que a rede dos vidros consiste basicamente das seguintes unidades estruturais: [TeO4], [WO4], [WO6], [BO4], [BO3] e Te-O-W para o sistema TeO2 – B2O3 – WO3 e de [TeO4], [BiO3], [BiO6], [BO4], [BO3] para o sistema TeO2 – B2O3 – Bi2O3. Medidas de absorção óptica das amostras foram realizadas antes e após a exposição a irradiação gama em doses de 10Gy, 1kGy, 10kGy e 50kGy e forneceram valores das bordas de absorção no intervalo de 378 a 449 nm. Obtiveram-se índices de refração da ordem de n > 2 em 633 nm através do equipamento Interferômetro de Michelson e método do ângulo de Brewster. As energias do g... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Glasses based on heavy metal oxides (TeO2, WO3, Bi2O3) have high refractive index, high values of optical nonlinearity and high dielectric constant. These physical properties enable a variety of applications, such as for ultrafast switching in optical devices and, when doped with rare earths, exhibit important luminescence [1]. Glasses in the ternary systems xTeO2–yB2O3–zWO3 and xTeO2–yB2O3–kBi2O3 were prepared from melt quenching method with x from 70 to 45 mol%, y from 40 to 10 mol%, z from 30 to 15 mol% and k with variation from 20 to 10 mol%. We introduce the Boron oxide to give a higher viscosity to the material, ie, higher thermal stability. Homogeneous and transparent samples were obtained for the following compositions: 70TeO2–10B2O3–20WO3, 70TeO2–20B2O3–10Bi2O3 and 55TeO2 –30B2O3–15Bi2O3. FTIR spectroscopy data revealed that the glass basically consists of the following structural units: [TeO4], [WO4], [WO6], [BO4], [BO3] and Te-O-W to the system TeO2–B2O3–WO3 and [TeO4], [BiO3], [BiO6], [BO4], [BO3] to the system TeO2–B2O3–Bi2O3. Optical absorption measurements of the samples were performed before and after exposure to gamma irradiation at doses of 10Gy, 1kGy, 10kGy and 50kGy and provided absorption edge values in the range of 378 to 449 nm. Were obtained refractive index of the order of n> 2 at 633 nm through the equipment Michelson´s Interferometer and Brewster's angle method. The optical gap energies obtained from these glasses are of the order of ≈ 2 to 3 eV. / Doutor

Ce travail de recherche a été mené afin d'introduire une nouvelle classe de résonateurs Fabry-Pérot (FP) : les cavités FP incurvées basées sur des miroirs de Bragg sans revêtement, de forme cylindrique sont obtenues par micro-usinage du silicium. Une autre spécificité est la longueur de la cavité relativement grande (L> 200 µm) combinée à un haut facteur de qualité Q (jusqu'à 10^4 ), pour répondre aux applications de type spectroscopie d'absorption améliorée par résonance optique, dans lesquelles le produit Q.L est une figure de mérite. Dans ce contexte, l'architecture de base a été modélisée analytiquement pour déterminer les modes transverses d'ordre élevé supportés par de telles cavités. Par conséquent, les conditions expérimentales qui conduisent à une excitation préférentielle (ou rejet) de ces modes ont été testées menant à la validation de notre modèle théorique et à une meilleure compréhension du comportement de la cavité. Une seconde architecture,basée sur la cavité FP incurvée avec une lentille cylindrique a été développée dans le but de fournir une architecture plus stable. Cette dernière a été également modélisée, fabriquée et caractérisée, menant à l'amélioration attendue en termes de performances. D'un autre côté, un point surlignant l'une des applications potentielles que nous avons identifiées pour les cavités incurvées est présentée en insérant la cavité dans un système électromécanique. Ceci consiste à exciter et mesurer les vibrations d'amplitude nanométrique par couplage opto-mécanique dans un résonateur mécanique MEMS intégrant une cavité optique FP. Enfin, comme complément à notre étude sur les résonateurs, nous avons commencé à explorer les applications des interféromètres optiques à base de miroirs de Bragg en silicium. À cette fin, un microsystème de mesure optique a été conçu, fabriqué et caractérisé, il consiste en une sonde optique pour la profilométrie de surface dans des milieux confinés, basé sur un interféromètre de Michelson monolithique en silicium / This research work has been conducted to introduce a novel class of Fabry-Perot (FP) resonators : curved FP cavity based on coating-free Bragg mirrors of cylindrical shape, obtained by silicon micromachining. Another specificity is the rather large cavity lengths (L>200 µm) combined with high quality factor Q (up to 104), for the purpose of applications requiring cavity enhanced absorption spectroscopy, in which the product Q.L is a figure of merit. In this contest, the basic architecture has been modeled analytically to know the high order transverse modes supported by such cavities. Hence, the experimental conditions which lead to preferential excitation (or rejection) of these modes have been tested experimentally leading to the validation of our theoretical model and to a better understanding of the cavity behaviour. A second architecture, based on the curved FP together with a fiber rod lens has been developed for the purpose of providing stable designs. It was also modeled, fabricated and characterized leading to the expected performance improvements. On another side, a highlight on one of the potential applications that we identified for the curved cavities is presented by inserting the cavity into an electro-mechanical system. It consists of exciting and measuring tiny vibration through opto-mechanical coupling in a MEMS mechanical resonator embedding an FP cavity.Finally, as a complement to our study on resonators, we started exploring applications of optical interferometers based on similar micromachined silicon Bragg mirrors. For this purpose, an optical measurement microsystem was designed, fabricated and characterized ; it consists of an optical probe for surface profilometry in confined environments, based on an all-silicon Michelson interferometer

<p>Optical coherence tomography is an imaging modality with an outstanding resolution. During the project, a time domain OCT system based on a Michelson fibre interferometer was implemented and put into operation. A super-luminescent diode with a centre wavelength of 1295nm and a bandwidth of 45nm was selected as light source and a linear variable delay line as reference. Basic tests were made on phantoms constructed of filter foils and on gel-like agar slices with optical properties similar to human tissue. It was shown that the achievable resolution was at least 36um and can be increased. The system can easily be enhanced to create two-dimensional images.</p> / <p>Optische Kohärenztomographie ist ein bildgebendes Verfahren mit einer hervorragenden räumlichen Auflösung. Im Laufe des Projekts wurde ein OCT-System basierend auf einem faseroptischen Michelson-Interferometer implementiert und in Betrieb genommen. Als Lichtquelle wurde eine Superlumineszenzdiode mit einer Mittenwellenlänge von 1295nm und einer Bandbreite von 45nm gewählt. Eine variable optische Verzögerungsleitung diente als Referenz. Erste Messungen an Filterfolien und gelähnlichen Agarphantomen, die die optischen Eigenschaften von menschlichem Gewebe nachbildeten, lieferten eine räumliche Auflösung von mindestens 36um. Durch die modulare Bauweise ist das System leicht für zweidimensionale Aufnahmen erweiterbar.</p>

Optical coherence tomography is an imaging modality with an outstanding resolution. During the project, a time domain OCT system based on a Michelson fibre interferometer was implemented and put into operation. A super-luminescent diode with a centre wavelength of 1295nm and a bandwidth of 45nm was selected as light source and a linear variable delay line as reference. Basic tests were made on phantoms constructed of filter foils and on gel-like agar slices with optical properties similar to human tissue. It was shown that the achievable resolution was at least 36um and can be increased. The system can easily be enhanced to create two-dimensional images. / Optische Kohärenztomographie ist ein bildgebendes Verfahren mit einer hervorragenden räumlichen Auflösung. Im Laufe des Projekts wurde ein OCT-System basierend auf einem faseroptischen Michelson-Interferometer implementiert und in Betrieb genommen. Als Lichtquelle wurde eine Superlumineszenzdiode mit einer Mittenwellenlänge von 1295nm und einer Bandbreite von 45nm gewählt. Eine variable optische Verzögerungsleitung diente als Referenz. Erste Messungen an Filterfolien und gelähnlichen Agarphantomen, die die optischen Eigenschaften von menschlichem Gewebe nachbildeten, lieferten eine räumliche Auflösung von mindestens 36um. Durch die modulare Bauweise ist das System leicht für zweidimensionale Aufnahmen erweiterbar.

The research institute ETC in Piteå is working with energy technical research and development. Today, much work revolves around research about renewable sources for fuel. In one project, biomass such as wood pellet is heated up while producing synthesis gas. The synthesis gas is then analyzed using three different GC techniques. ETC wanted to be able to make all their analysis on one instrument and with a faster speed. They contacted the company Rowaco in Linköping for help with developing a method on FTIR for analysis of the synthesis gas and that has been the aim for this thesis. A method has been developed for analysis of water, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and methane. The results from this thesis show that the concentrations of the molecules in the synthesis gas are outside the calibration curved that has been made and that the high concentrations give much interference to other molecules. The thesis also shows that many areas in the spectrum from the process are roof absorbers and there is also a contamination of water and carbon dioxide in the system. Suggested improvements are to find the source for the contamination, to develop calibration points with higher concentrations, to reduce the length of the gas cell and to dilute the gas before entering the FTIR.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) found in their 2007 report that aerosol radiative forcing contributed larger uncertainties to estimates affecting future climate change than any other radiative forcing factor. Lidar is a tool with which this uncertainty can be reduced, increasing our understanding of the impact of aerosols on climate change. Lidar, or laser radar, is a monostatic active remote sensing technique used to measure aerosols and particulates in the atmosphere, with accuracies comparable to in-situ measurements (Russell 2002). High Spectral Resolution Lidar (HSRL) systems use a narrow band filter to spectrally separate Doppler broadened aerosol and molecular back-scattered return signals, which allows for range resolved profiles of aerosol extinction and backscatter. The narrow band filter is a key component, for which two novel approaches are currently being used: NASA Langley Research Center has implemented a wide-angle Michelson interferometer in the second version of their airborne HSRL, and Montana State University is using a spherical Fabry-Perot interferometer in a ground based HSRL. In this research, a comprehensive comparative analysis of these two interferometric filters is performed, the result of which is a methodology for the design of narrow band filters for HSRL systems. The techniques presented identify the critical components and analyze the performance of each filter based on the spectral and angular properties, as well as the efficiency.

Submitted by Edileide Reis (leyde-landy@hotmail.com) on 2014-09-09T13:42:27Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Helcimar Moura de Jesus.pdf: 483976 bytes, checksum: 8c832780cd99f08a109b59d2c25fcb5c (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Fatima Cleômenis Botelho Maria (botelho@ufba.br) on 2014-09-09T13:49:23Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Helcimar Moura de Jesus.pdf: 483976 bytes, checksum: 8c832780cd99f08a109b59d2c25fcb5c (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2014-09-09T13:49:23Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Helcimar Moura de Jesus.pdf: 483976 bytes, checksum: 8c832780cd99f08a109b59d2c25fcb5c (MD5) / Muitos físicos e filósofos da ciência aceitam a afirmação de que as teorias eletrodinâmicas de Lorentz e de Einstein são empiricamente equivalentes [Dorlig, 1968], isto é, que não existem experimentos para os quais as referidas teorias prevêem resultados distintos. Assumida a mencionada equivalência, os critérios a serem adotados para a escolha entre as duas teorias passam a ser de natureza extra científica, tais como: simplicidade,“força heurística”, menor quantidade de pressupostos, etc. A referida equivalência empírica é corroborada com o experimento de Michelson-Morley (EMM) [Michelson 1881, 1887] [Shankland 1963] que pode ser explicado mediante ambas as teorias. Particularmente, na teoria de Lorentz, adota-se a contração de Lorentz-Fitzgerald [Shankland 1963]. No entanto, Miranda Filho [Miranda Filho 2004] revela que a citada hipótese de contração falha ao explicar o resultado negativo do experimento quando se modifica a configuração original do aparato (EMM generalizado ou EMMG) para formar a figura de interferência num plano distinto das superfícies dos espelhos. Em contrapartida, a teoria de Einstein continua a explicá-lo. Mas, na eletrodinâmica de Lorentz de 1904, a referida contração constitui apenas parte de sua teoria. Logo, embora a contração de Lorentz-Fitzgerald não seja suficiente para cobrir a explicação do EMMG apresentada por Miranda Filho, não podemos dizer que a teoria completa não o faça. Este é, portanto, o nosso terreno de investigação para analisar a referida equivalência ou não das duas teorias eletrodinâmicas.

This dissertation presents a free-space, long-range, passive optical communication system that uses electrostatically modulated microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) structures coupled with a glass total internal reflection (TIR)-type corner cube retroreflector (CCR) as a non-emitting data transmitter. A CCR consists of three mirrors orthogonal to each other, so that the incident beam is reflected back to the incident beam, source. The operational concept is to have a MEMS modulator fusion with TIR CCR, such that the modulators are working periodically to disrupt the evanescent waves at the air interface of one of the three back glass faces of a TIR CCR. The MEMS chip has two primary components: (1) an array of movable light scattering silicon structures with nano roughness and (2) a glass lid with a transparent conductive indium tin oxide (ITO) film. The MEMS structures are bonded to a glass lid using flip-chip bonding. Once bonded, the MEMS structures can be modulated either toward or away from the glass lid, thus disrupting evanescent energy delivered from a probing laser beam. The MEMS structure is precisely bonded to the TIR CCR with an accuracy of 10-30 arc-seconds using a Michelson interferometry feedback system. This is a novel step by which an existing passive commercial CCR can be converted into a modulating active CCR. This CCR-MEMS unit acts as the key element of the transmitter. To illustrate the concept of a low-power, unattended, sensor-monitoring system, we developed a sensor board containing temperature, humidity, and magnetic sensors along with a microprocessor and other electronics. The sensor board and CCR board are packed together and act as the transmitter unit. We developed a benchtop system and an improved portable receiver system. The receiver system contains the laser (as source), a collimating lens (to collect retroreflected signal), an optical, narrow band pass filter, and a detector. The detector signal was amplified and filtered and sent either to the oscilloscope, a lock-in-amplifier, or a laptop to display the sensor data. Using the receiver system, a sensor-CCR-based transmitter unit, and receiver with 635 nm as source, we achieved retroreflective communication over a distance of 300 m.

The aim of this thesis is to quantify the impact of atmospheric turbulence on optical signal used in free space optic communication systems. The first part is associated with atmosphere as transmission medium. Following part deals with interferometry and components of interferometers. Various methods of analysis of trasmission environment for optical beam are introduced theoretically and experimentally. Mathematical apparatus based on Kolmogorov’s cascade theory, Rytov’s variance was used to find value of structural parameter of refraction as a main measure of turbulence intensity. Experimentally obtained data were subjected to statistical analysis. The visualization of interference pattern fluctuations under turbulent conditions is shown in the last section. Interferometric method was realized with Michelson interferometer.