Unambiguous interferometric surface profilometry using liquid crystal modulators

Begbie, M.L., Lesso, J.P., Sibbett, W. and Padgett, M. (2000) Unambiguous interferometric surface profilometry using liquid crystal modulators. Proceedings of the SPIE: The International Society for Optical Engineering, 3966, 357 -361. (doi: 10.1117/12.380094)

Full text not currently available from Enlighten.

Publisher's URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1117/12.380094

Abstract

We present a polarization discriminating interferometer, where the test and reference beams are encoded in orthogonal coherent polarization states. The optical signal output from such an interferometer has a normalized degree of polarization (P') that varies monotonically as the optical path difference (OPD) between the test and reference paths is increased from zero. We analyze the interferometer output using a novel Stokes polarimeter, employing two switchable ferroelectric liquid crystal (FLC) wave plates and a polarization image splitter to effect the polarization transformations required for a full Stokes analysis. The addressing time of ~100 microseconds for the FLC waveplates, coupled with the image splitter, allows data to be collected in three video frames. Manufacturing tolerances inherent in the FLC waveplates, together with alignment errors in the optical system, lead to errors in the measurement of P'. We examine these errors and show that their result is to cause the relationship between surface height and measured P' to depart from the monotonic ideal form, thus reintroducing ambiguity into the measurement system. We present a numerical correction term which allows us to recover the correct P' value from the measured data, thereby returning us to an unambiguous surface profile. We will show profiles taken from surfaces with step discontinuities of several lambda, demonstrating the system's ability to resolve these height differences.

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:Presented at the SPIE Machine Vision Applications in Industrial Inspection VIII Conference, 24 January 2000, San Jose, CA, USA
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Padgett, Professor Miles
Authors: Begbie, M.L., Lesso, J.P., Sibbett, W., and Padgett, M.
Subjects:Q Science > QC Physics
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Physics and Astronomy
Journal Name:Proceedings of the SPIE: The International Society for Optical Engineering
Publisher:SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
ISSN:0277-786X

University Staff: Request a correction | Enlighten Editors: Update this record