Research

Single-shot areal profilometry using hyperspectral interferometry with micro-optics arrays
This collaboration with Renishaw concerns the development of optical instrumentation to determine surface profile in a single shot, thus robust against vibrations and suitable for metrology in the production line.
Our Aim
The surface topography of a component part can have a profound effect on the function of the part. It is estimated that surface effects cause 10% of manufactured parts to fail. In tribology, it is the surface interactions that influence such quantities as friction, wear and the lifetime of a component. In fluid dynamics, it is the surface that determines how fluids flow and it affects such properties as aerodynamic lift, therefore, influencing efficiency and fuel consumption of aircraft.
Surface profilometry techniques such as coherent scanning interferometry or focus variation require long scan times and are thus vulnerable to environmental disturbance. For this reason, quality control of precision surfaces is done offline in a metrology lab, and only on a small percentage of parts produced. Hyperspectral interferometry (HSI) overcomes the problem by recording all the spatial and spectral information necessary to reconstruct a 2D surface height map in a single shot. In this project we developed a vibration-proof single-shot HSI approach, to enable the testing of all products in a production line. Tribology, optical surfaces, additive manufacturing and thin films, are some example applications.
Our Research
Our Outcomes
Dr Pablo D. Ruiz - Reader in Applied Optics
“We developed a system that can measure the profile of precision manufactured surfaces in the production line, without requiring vibration isolation.”
