PhotonicsTechnology

Southwest Research Institute® San Antonio, Texas

F ounded in 1947 as an indepen-dent, nonprofit research and

development organization,Southwest Research Institute provides a significant research,engineering, and testing resourcefor industry, business, and govern-ment. The Institute uses a multi-disciplinary, integrated approachto solving complex problems inscience and applied technology.

t Southwest ResearchInstitute (SwRI®), multi-

disciplinary teams of scientistsand engineers work with industryand government to develop andbring to market advanced opticalsensing and coating technologies.

For more than a quarter of a century,SwRI has developed methods to createand improve optical-imaging techniquesand sensors for use in a range of industrialand security applications. As part of along-held tradition, patent rights arisingfrom sponsored research at the Instituteare often assigned to the client. SwRIgenerally retains the rights to Institute-funded advancements.

The Institute applies advanced engineeringand computational capabilities and state-of-the-art laboratories to develop specificphotonic systems and techniques including:

■ Materials and coatings■ Optical imaging and machine vision■ Spectroscopy■ Light delivery systems■ Ultraviolet and infrared sensing

About the Cover: Laser-inducedfluorescence is used to evaluate theconcentration of a compound in asolution.

©2005 Southwest Research Institute. All rights reserved.

An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/VCommitted to Diversity in the Workplace

Deposition processes at SwRI include electronbeam evaporation, resistance source, ion-assisted,magnetron sputtering, co-evaporation, and reactiveprocesses. Scientists apply coatings to a variety ofsubstrates such as glass, plastic, and metal.

The Institute offers a state-of-the-art, thin-filmdesign program that allows the modeling of innov-ative coatings, transitioning from design to practicewith extreme accuracy.

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Sample metrology such as this near infrared reflectance scanprovides quantitative feedback for coating optimization.

Engineers deposit optical coatings using a state-of-the artcryopumped chamber housed in a dedicated Class 1000clean room.

SwRI-developed coatings include pellicle beam-splitters, high-power laser coatings, precisioncustom dichroics and filters, and scratch- andcontamination-resistant optics.

wRI scientists use ion beams and plasmasto treat material surfaces to add function-

alities such as sensing, actuation, and hydropho-bicity. Institute engineers design, fabricate, coat,and evaluate a variety of thin-film and customoptics, including:

■ Ultraviolet, visible, and infrared antireflectioncoatings

■ Enhanced high reflectors

■ Interference filters

■ Durable and corrosion-resistant coatings

■ Electromagnetic interference coatings

■ Patterned and structured coatings

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■ Generating object descriptions forobject reproduction (reverseengineering)

■ Measuring defects in aircraftsurfaces

■ Determining extent of impact damage■ Generating three-dimensional

descriptions of scenes forvirtual reality systems

Optical ImagingInstitute engineers have developed innovative

optical imaging systems and instruments for avariety of applications including:

■ Precision measurements

■ Surface inspection

■ Defect detection

■ Spectroscopic analysis

■ Biological activity evaluation

SwRI has several laboratories dedicated toinvestigation and development work in visible,ultraviolet, and infrared spectral bands.

Using sophisticated optical imaging techniques, SwRI scientistsmeasure the pore dimensions within foam materials.

Live cell fluorescence imaging monitors the cellularinternalization of nanoparticles (red quantum dots).Scientists use this technology to study live cell molecular activity.

DSL 3D Imaging System designated one of top 100 technical innovations of 2004 by R&D MagazineSwRI developed a unique system forthree-dimensional measurementbased on analysis of a rotating patternof light projected over a surface to bemeasured. This scalable techniquecan accurately measure small sur-

faces as well as detect deformations on components aslarge as aircraft flaps. Applications for the DSL 3D(patent pending) measurement technique include:

Machine VisionOptical imaging provides a noncontact method

for inspecting and measuring manufactured itemsand processes. SwRI uses monochrome and colorimaging to provide a variety of services including:

■ Manufactured part inspection and process control

■ Object identification

■ Dimensional measurement

■ Surface defect (such as pits and scratches)detection

High-speed imaging is also used to analyze errorsand failures in processes and machine operation.

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he Institute has spectral measurement capa-bilities ranging from ultraviolet to long-wave

infrared. Instrumentation includes spectrometers,spectrum analyzers, and Fourier transform Infrared(FTIR) spectroscopy. SwRI has used these spectro-scopic measurements for applications including:

■ Determination of emission spectra of varioussources, including lasers, fluorescent lightbulbs, and light-emitting diodes (LEDs)

■ Absorption and transmission measurements ofcoatings and materials

■ Color measurements of dyes and inks for identi-fication and process control

■ Longwave infrared, hyperspectral imaging toidentify nerve agents (simulants)

Raman SpectroscopyRaman spectroscopy is an important tech-

nique for analyzing the structure and compositionof matter, with important advantages in sensitivityover other spectral-analysis methods. SwRI hasdeveloped systems for Raman-based applicationsthat include:

■ Chemical measurements in geological specimensfor application to planetary landers

■ Imaging of cellular metabolic processes for drugdevelopment and evaluation

Laser-Induced FluorescenceLaser-induced fluorescence can be used to:

■ Detect foreign material in food products

■ Inspect polymer degradation

■ Photo-characterize abnormal tissue

■ Measure jet fuel degradation

SwRI engineers developed this compact, lightweight Ramanspectrometer prototype for use on planetary landers to studyrock and soil composition.

Scientists use laser-induced fluorescence from an iodine vaporcell as a reference spectrum for tunable-laser experiments.

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wRI has extensive experience indeveloping optical systems for

light-delivery applications. These sys-tems vary from breadboard-mountedoptics to complete, custom-machinedoptical systems. Institute engineers areexperienced in the use of software-based optical design packages for sys-tem analysis and modeling. Recentwork includes:

■ Design and fabrication of broadlytunable diode lasers

■ Research into high-powerfiber optics

■ Development of custom cameraoptics including telescopes,boroscopes, and ultra-compactlens systems

■ Design of ultra-fast systems togenerate terahertz radiation

■ Development of ultraviolet (UV)holography for high-precision,nanometer-scale photolithography

■ Fabrication of long-range lightdelivery and high-sensitivitycollection systems with trackingand scanning capabilities

■ Development of custom optical-system assemblies for fielddeployment

A terahertz imaging and spectroscopy station was developed for imaging andnondestructive inspection applications.

Optical and Fiber Optic InstrumentationSwRI offers sophisticated optical and fiber optic instrumentation, including:

■ Lasers from ultraviolet to mid-infrared (IR) including gas, dye, solid-state, and diode-based systems

■ High-power systems using Ar-ion, diode, excimer, pulsed Nd:YAG, and ruby lasers withenergies up to 10 joules

■ Fiber-optic components and systems including optical time domain reflectometry measure-ments, splicing, and connectorization

■ Meters and spectrometers for sensing from the UV through mid-IR spectra

■ Very compact optical systems using millimeter-scale optical components

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SwRI scientists use lasersfor a variety of projects,including studying theeffects of high power onoptical fibers.

maging outside the visible spectrum canreveal properties of an object or an environ-

ment that cannot be determined by other means.Many SwRI-developed and fabricated optical systemsuse techniques that employ sensing beyond thevisible spectrum, including ultraviolet, infrared,and thermal sensing.

Ultraviolet SensingUltraviolet sensing detects high-energy events

such as high-temperature flames and electricalcorona. Using radiometrically calibrated camerasand other UV instrumentation, SwRI engineershave conducted programs involving:

■ Solar-blind imaging of tactical missiles

■ Corona measurements on high-voltage power lines

■ Biologically induced corrosion effects

■ UV spectroscopy of planetary and cometaryatmospheres

Infrared andThermal Sensing

The infraredband of the spec-trum is used in ther-mography, intrusiondetection, machinediagnostics, and

Ultraviolet Cameras for Space EnvironmentSwRI has the unique capability of performing radiometric characterization and

absolute calibration of ultraviolet-sensitive imaging instruments and spectrographsthroughout the vacuum ultraviolet (VUV). This capability extends into the mid- to near-ultraviolet range of 300 to 3,000 angstroms (Å). Additional capabilities include opticalreflectivity and bidirectional reflectivity distribution function measurements of opticalsurfaces (including multilayer optical coatings), and photocathode quantum efficiencymeasurements in the VUV.

The SwRI Ultraviolet Calibration Laboratory includes a Class 1000 clean room forbench radiometric and functional testing and a high-vacuum chamber facility with abuilt-in high-intensity windowless ultraviolet light source, a vacuum monochromator,and a 4-inch diameter optical collimator that can deliver highly collimated, monochro-matic light to the test instrument.

inspection. The near-IR band is useful in infraredspectroscopy to identify specific materials, coatings,and gases. Long-wave (thermal) IR images are usedto measure thermal emissions for the detection ofanimals, concealed objects, and “hot spots” thatindicate a failing bearing or problematic electricalconnection. SwRI internally funded research pro-jects have included:

■ Liquid-level sensing

■ Animal tracking

■ Heating in nonceramic power-line insulators

■ Materials and systems characterization

■ Intrusion detection

SwRI engineers developed this NewHorizons Alice spectrograph for ultravioletimaging of Pluto and Charon.

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Institute scientists useIR techniques to identifyheat leaks that are visu-ally hidden under anouter skin of a building.

Thermal imaging allows detection and tracking ofhumans or animals at night or in other unfavorableenvironments.

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Southwest Research Institute is an independent, nonprofit, applied engineering and physical sciences research and development organization using multidisciplinary approaches to problemsolving. The Institute occupies 1,200 acres and provides nearly two million square feet of laboratories,test facilities, workshops, and offices for more than 3,000 employees who perform contract workfor industry and government clients.

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We welcome your inquiries.For more information, please contact:

Laser and Optical SystemsJoseph N. Mitchell(210) 522-5799 • Fax: (210) 522-5649E-mail: joe.mitchell@swri.org

Machine Vision and Image AnalysisDr. Michael P. Rigney(210) 522-5104 • Fax: (210) 522-4644E-mail: michael.rigney@swri.org

Optical Coating and Thin-Film ModelingDr. Kent E. Coulter(210) 522-3196 • Fax: (210) 522-6220E-mail: kent.coulter@swri.org

Southwest Research Institute6220 Culebra Road • P.O. Drawer 28510San Antonio, Texas 78228-0510www.swri.org

SwRI Business Development • San Antonio, Texas • (210) 522-2122 • Fax: (210) 522-3496 • E-mail: bd@swri.org