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Coherent Optics Laboratory

 

The Coherent Optics Laboratory at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, MI, is equipped to perform non-contact full-field measurement of the mechanical behavior of solid bodies. The laboratory is available on a contract basis, and short courses can be designed to meet the needs of industry.

 

Optical measurement

Optical measurement techniques used in the laboratory include:

• Holographic interferometry
• Speckle-shearing interferometry
• Strobo-scopic holography
• Time-integrated holography.

These techniques allow non-contact detection and measurement of stress, stress concentrations, distortions due to loading, residual stress, steady state vibration amplitudes, steady-state vibration modal analysis, and other related mechanical characteristics.

Laboratory equipment

• Four helium-neon lasers
• A high quality air-suspended optical table
• Three high-strength optical tables for larger manufactured components
• Two digital image processing work stations.

The image processing workstations are designed for prototype development of systems for industrial applications where measurement, inspection, and/or alignment is required.

Hardware and software

• Algor and ANSYS finite element software is accessible in the laboratory for numerical evaluation of manufactured parts and assemblies.
• Image Lab and in-house software are used to support image analysis requirements.
• Stratgraphics software is available for statistical analysis and data processing.

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For more information:
More information is available from Dr. Richard B. Hathaway, laboratory director.