Defect growth in model panel paintings by full field interferometry

Conference (2008, November)

Holographic interferometry with photorefractive crystals : recent industrial applications

in Proceedings of the International Symposium to Commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the Invention of Holography (2008, October)

Photorefractive crystals allow in-situ dynamic holographic recording and indefinite reusability. Also they exhibit specific properties that other recording materials do not and which can be advantageously ... [more ▼]

Photorefractive crystals allow in-situ dynamic holographic recording and indefinite reusability. Also they exhibit specific properties that other recording materials do not and which can be advantageously used in holographic interferometry. For 15 years we have been developing holographic interferometry techniques and devices with Bi12SiO20 (BSO) crystals. The dynamic behaviour of the latter allows a high degree of userfriendliness of holographic interferometry (like techniques based on electronic recording), together with higher resolution interferograms (no speckle noise - no need of filtering). In the past we already have presented a wide range of applications in metrology, NDT and vibrations measurement. Here we present recent industrial applications obtained with a device which is now commercially available. It has proven successful applications in highly demanding applications where high resolution was required [less ▲]

Rewritable VPHGs based on photochromic materials

in Attad-Ettedqui, A.; Lemke, D. (Eds.) Advanced Optical and Mechanical Technologies in Telescopes and Instrumentation (2008, June)

Volume phase holographic gratings (VPHGs) are becoming an interesting alternative to the ruled gratings in modern astronomical instrumentation. Photochromic materials with thermal stability are good ... [more ▼]

Volume phase holographic gratings (VPHGs) are becoming an interesting alternative to the ruled gratings in modern astronomical instrumentation. Photochromic materials with thermal stability are good candidates for the development of holographic optical elements and in particular for VPHGs. VPHGs based on photochromic materials can be written and erased many times without the degradation of the material; moreover the material does not need any developing process after the exposure, making the writing process very simple. We have already studied photochromic materials for this aim in the framework of the JRA6 (Opticon Project, FP6) and we found that large modulations of the refractive index can be achieved using diarylethene polymers. Going from the materials characterization to technology, substrates with larger thickness and good optical properties are required. Herein we present the development of new technique to tailor the thickness of the photochromic films in two ranges: 5 - 30 micron and 700 - 1000 micron. The former are suitable for the development of broadband VPHGs, whereas the latter are suitable for narrow band tunable filters application. Details on the optical properties of the films are reported. Finally, a holographic set-up based on an Ar+ laser has been optimized in order to write the gratings. [less ▲]

Applications with inorganic photorefractives: marketed systems and future potentialities

Scientific conference (2007, October 19)

In his talk, Dr. Georges will present some applications using inorganic photorefractive materials that present potentialities in various fields. He will focus particularly on recent works that gave birth ... [more ▼]

In his talk, Dr. Georges will present some applications using inorganic photorefractive materials that present potentialities in various fields. He will focus particularly on recent works that gave birth to commercial systems and those that were granted "Best applications of photorefractive materials" in OSA sponsored or co-sponsored Topical Meetings on Photorefractive Effects, Materials and Devices like: - Holographic filtering in telecoms and laser mode filtering. - Dynamic hologram recording: laser ultrasound non-destructive testing. - Holographic interferometry for metrology and non-destructive testing. Dr. Georges will discuss the figures of merit of recording materials and try to initiate a debate for new application potentialities related to new photorefractive or photosensitive materials. [less ▲]

Photorefractive holographic interferometry for movable artwork assessment

in Hesselink, Lambertus; Feinberg, Jack (Eds.) Controlling Light with Light: Photorefractive Effects, Photosensitivity, Fiber Gratings, Photonic Materials and More (PR07) (2007, October)

Photorefractive holographic interferometry is applied to assessment of movable cultural heritage. Its role is to observe tiny signatures resulting from internal artwork characteristics. In the future, the ... [more ▼]

Photorefractive holographic interferometry is applied to assessment of movable cultural heritage. Its role is to observe tiny signatures resulting from internal artwork characteristics. In the future, the system will be used for both antifraud and restoration [less ▲]

Assessment of space radiation effects on solid-state Brillouin phase conjugate mirrors

in Applied Optics (2007), 46(22), 5329-5335

Optical phase conjugation (OPC) provides a means of dynamical correction of thermally induced aberrations in high-power laser systems. This method is particularly interesting for space applications ... [more ▼]

Optical phase conjugation (OPC) provides a means of dynamical correction of thermally induced aberrations in high-power laser systems. This method is particularly interesting for space applications because it is passive, mechanically simple, and allows for improved beam quality with only a small loss in power. To exploit it one has to assess the effect of the space environment, and in particular of space radiation, on the properties of the materials that are suitable for phase-conjugating mirrors (PCMs). We have investigated both materials providing OPC via stimulated Brillouin scattering and actual PCMs with regard to their radiation hardness. Proton- and gamma-irradiated PCMs in the form of 30-cm long silica rods and 5-cm long TeO2 crystals were tested in a single frequency flash-lamp pumped Nd:YAG system delivering up to 220 mJ pulses with a 20 ns duration at a 50 Hz repetition rate. The difference in the reflectivity between irradiated and nonirradiated components was found to be within the measurement errors. Gamma irradiation of TeO2 resulted in a decrease of the laser-induced damage threshold, while for silica possible changes were below the detection limit. Our results show that synthetic fused silica, and Lithosil in particular, can be used for generating the OPC in laser systems operating in a space radiation environment. [less ▲]

A solid-state phase conjugate mirror for space Lidar systems

Conference (2007, June)

Dynamic holographic interferometry: Devices and applications

in Günther, P.; Huignard, J.-P. (Eds.) Photorefractive Materials and Their Applications 3. Applications (2007)

Phase control strategies for stabilization of photorefractive holographic interferometer

in Slangen, P.; Cerruti, C. (Eds.) Speckle06 : Speckles, From Grains to Flowers (2006, September)

A current problem encountered in holographic interferometry systems is the phase variations that arise from vibrations, from the use of optical fiber in one arm, by air convection or by unwanted movement ... [more ▼]

A current problem encountered in holographic interferometry systems is the phase variations that arise from vibrations, from the use of optical fiber in one arm, by air convection or by unwanted movement between the object and the measurement device. The holographic device developed by CSL based on photorefractive BSO crystals has the advantage of high resolution fringes with the capability of self-processing and indefinite reusability. The weakness of the technique is a response time that is often slow compared to external perturbations. For applications outside the laboratory, we decided to find solutions adapted to the holographic camera and which tend to limit or to eliminate the effect of such phase variations. An error signal is measured from one or another technique which measure the phase variations and which counteracts on an active element in the interferometer to stabilize the phase during recording. Different solutions have been analysed and are presented here. Interferograms were obtained with and without implementation of the phase control system that show the interest of such approach. Some of the system presented are only adapted to photorefractive holographic interferometry, making use of some crystal diffraction properties. Other systems can be used with other kind of interferometers. [less ▲]

Dynamic holography for the space qualification of large reflectors

in Optical Fabrication, Testing, and Metrology II (2005, October)

The next generation of infrared - sub mm space telescopes requires reflectors with large dimensions, high quality and, according to weight issues, are based on composite or new materials technology. The ... [more ▼]

The next generation of infrared - sub mm space telescopes requires reflectors with large dimensions, high quality and, according to weight issues, are based on composite or new materials technology. The challenging tasks of on-ground testing are to achieve the required accuracy in the measurement of these reflectors shape and antenna structures and to verify their performance under simulated space conditions (vacuum, low-high temperatures). A holographic camera for the verification and validation of this type of reflector in a space environment is presented. A diffuser is implemented to measure the deformations of reflective surfaces in a more flexible way. The system has been made compatible with the vacuum conditions. Some elements of the holographic camera (camera lenses, CCD, crystal, optical fibre) have been adapted and tested under vacuum. The metrological certification of the whole system is realised by the measurement of a parabolic CFRP reflector with a 1.1 meter diameter. The results are compared to the one achieved with a high spatial resolution IR interferometer on the same reflector in laboratory conditions and under thermal vacuum conditions. This later test consists in measuring the deformations of the reflector between an initial state at a selected temperature and a final state at another temperature. The comparison between the high spatial resolution IR interferometer and this dynamic holographic method showed very good qualitative and quantitative agreement between the techniques, thus verifying the potential of this new Holographic approach. [less ▲]