Jean-François Vandenrijt

Nondestructive testing by using long-wave infrared interferometric techniques with CO2 lasers and microbolometer arrays.

We describe three different interferometric techniques (electronic speckle pattern interferometry, digital holographic interferometry, and digital shearography), using a long-wave infrared radiation produced by a CO(2) laser and recorded on a microbolometer array. Experimental results showing how these methods can be used for nondestructive testing are presented. Advantages and disadvantages of these approaches are discussed.

Digital holographic interferometry with CO2 lasers and diffuse illumination applied to large space reflector metrology [Invited].

Digital holographic interferometry in the long-wave infrared domain has been developed by combining a CO(2) laser and a microbolometer array. The long wavelength allows large deformation measurements, which are of interest in the case of large space reflectors undergoing thermal changes when in orbit. We review holography at such wavelengths and present some specific aspects related to this spectral range on our measurements. For the design of our digital holographic interferometer, we studied the possibility of illuminating specular objects by a reflective diffuser. We discuss the development of the interferometer and the results obtained on a representative space reflector, first in the laboratory and then during vacuum cryogenic test.

Electronic speckle pattern interferometry and digital holographic interferometry with microbolometer arrays at 10.6 μm

Electronic speckle pattern interferometry and digital holographic interferometry are investigated at long infrared wavelengths. Using such wavelengths allows one to extend the measurement range and decrease the sensitivity of the techniques to external perturbations. We discuss the behavior of reflection by the object surfaces due to the long wavelength. We have developed different experimental configurations associating a CO(2) laser emitting at 10.6 μm and microbolometer arrays. Phase-shifting in-plane and out-of-plane electronic speckle pattern interferometry and lensless digital holographic interferometry are demonstrated on rotation measurements of a solid object.

Mobile speckle interferometer in the long-wave infrared for aeronautical nondestructive testing in field conditions

Abstract. We present the development of a speckle interferometer based on a CO2 laser and using a thermal infrared camera based on an uncooled microbolometer array. It is intended to be used for monitoring deformations as well as detecting flaws in aeronautical composites, with a smaller sensitivity to displacement compared to an equivalent system using visible (VIS) lasers. Moreover the long wavelength allows working with such interferometers outside the laboratory. A mobile system has been developed on the basis of previous laboratory developments. Then it is validated in a variety of industrial nondestructive testing applications in field working conditions.

Combined holography and thermography in a single sensor through image-plane holography at thermal infrared wavelengths

Holographic interferometry in the thermal wavelengths range, combining a CO(2) laser and digital hologram recording with a microbolometer array based camera, allows simultaneously capturing temperature and surface shape information about objects. This is due to the fact that the holograms are affected by the thermal background emitted by objects at room temperature. We explain the setup and the processing of data which allows decoupling the two types of information. This natural data fusion can be advantageously used in a variety of nondestructive testing applications.

Long-wave infrared digital holographic interferometry with diffuser or point source illuminations for measuring deformations of aspheric mirrors

Abstract. Long-wave infrared digital holographic interferometry with CO2 laser and microbolometer arrays has been developed for testing the large deformations of space reflectors. The setup considered is a Mach–Zehnder, associated to the digital holography reconstruction of the wavefront in the inline configuration with phase shifting. Two possibilities exist for illuminating the tested reflector: either with a point source (similarly to classical interferometry) or an extended source (with a diffuser). This paper presents the development of a modular setup which allows comparing both in the case of a parabolic mirror.

Digital holographic interferometry by using long infrared radiation (CO2 laser)

We show how digital holographic interferometry in the Long Wave InfraRed spectral range (LWIR) can be used for the investigation of mechanical structures. The 10.6 μm radiation is produced by a CO2 Laser. Experimental results showing that the method can be used to locate defects in a panel are presented and advantages and disadvantages of this approach are discussed.

Infrared Electronic speckle pattern interferometry at 10 μm

Demonstration of electronic speckle pattern interferometry of opaque scattering objects at 10 &mgr;m wavelength using a commercial thermal-camera is presented for the first time to our knowledge. The idea of using a wavelength longer than the usual visible ones is to render such holographic displacement measurement techniques less sensitive to external perturbations. We discuss some particular aspects of the increase in wavelength to the 10 &mgr;m thermal range. We then show results of in-plane measurement of the rotation of a metallic plate. We applied the phase-shifting technique for quantitative measurements and the results are correlated to countermeasurements with a theodolite.

Digital Holographic Interferometry with CO2 Lasers Applied to Aspheric Space Reflectors Testing

Digital holographic interferometry at long infrared wavelengths allows monitoring large deformations of space reflectors during vacuum-thermal testing. We present different optical schemes and an application to the complex case of elliptic reflector.

Vibration mode shapes visualization in industrial environment by real-time time-averaged phase-stepped electronic speckle pattern interferometry at 10.6 μm and shearography at 532 nm

Abstract. We present our investigations on two interferometric methods suitable for industrial conditions dedicated to the visualization of vibration modes of aeronautic blades. First, we consider long-wave infrared (LWIR) electronic speckle pattern interferometry (ESPI). The use of long wavelength allows measuring larger amplitudes of vibrations compared with what can be achieved with visible light. Also longer wavelengths allow lower sensitivity to external perturbations. Second, shearography at 532 nm is used as an alternative to LWIR ESPI. Both methods are used in time-averaged mode with the use of phase-stepping. This allows transforming Bessel fringes, typical to time averaging, into phase values that provide higher contrast and improve the visualization of vibration mode shapes. Laboratory experimental results with both techniques allowed comparison of techniques, leading to selection of shearography. Finally a vibration test on electrodynamic shaker is performed in an industrial environment and mode shapes are obtained with good quality by shearography.