| EPSRC Reference: |
GR/T08555/01 |
| Title: |
Adaptive Interferometric Sensors and Sources |
| Principal Investigator: |
Damzen, Professor MJ |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Department: |
Physics |
| Organisation: |
Imperial College London |
| Scheme: |
Standard Research (Pre-FEC) |
| Starts: |
28 February 2005 |
Ends: |
27 August 2008 |
Value (£): |
244,645
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Optical Devices & Subsystems |
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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This proposal aims to extend current optical sensor and source capabilities by real-time adaptive correction of beam degradation that currently limit remote optical sensing systems and high power laser sources. Our approach is to develop adaptive sensors and sources based on novel configurations of saturable laser gain materials acting as self-organising holographic interferometric devices providing spatially-coherent beam combination of 'spatially-incoherent' beams. This proposal is novel and highly adventurous since it will be the first time that gain media will be spatially configured as interferometric sensors. We also propose a radical new methodology for improved laser operation.Several adaptive interferometer configurations will be constructed and tested with the aim to extract fast velocimetry and vibrometry information shrouded by speckle beam formation caused by scattering from rough, uneven surfaces (e.g. industrial non-destructive testing and medical ultrasound measurement from scattering tissue) or caused by atmospheric turbulence in free-space remote sensing (e.g. defence identification/signatures, and measuring atmospheric features themselves (e.g. vortices). We aim to show measurement of nanometer scale displacements with high spatial resolution and fast temporal response.We are also proposing to use the adaptive gain interferometry techniques as create a truly new methodologies for laser operation based on interferometric networks of self-organising laser modules. The new laser architectures offer prospect of new solid-state and diode sources with enhanced spatial and spectral quality but also offers a breakthrough in technology for a cascadable route to potentially limitless laser power scaling. An adaptive laser system with strong feedback from a remote target is also proposed to provide optimal target illumination by compensation of aberrations on the way to target. Seminal demonstrations and validation of new source concepts will be tested in high power diode-pumped Nd:YV04 lasers.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
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| Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.imperial.ac.uk |