A miniaturized multidirectional optical motion sensor and input device based on laser self-mixing

Liess, Martin; Weijers, Gon; Heinks, Carsten; Horst, André van der; Rommers, Ad; Duijve, René; Mimnagh, Gillian

doi:10.1088/0957-0233/13/12/327

Cited by 23 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…A better configuration of a transversal-component velocimeter based on a true (SMI) interferometric signal can be developed by using a differential setup like the one illustrated in Fig. 17, used for sensing applications [34] (see also Sect. 6).…”

Section: Velocity Measurementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Developing self‐mixing interferometry for instrumentation and measurements

Donati

2011

Laser & Photonics Reviews

330

287

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In this review, self-mixing interferometry (SMI), a new configuration of interferometry, is discussed. SMI has practical advantages compared to standard interferometry, for example SMI does not require any optical part external to the laser chip and can be employed in a variety of measurements. Applications range from the traditional measurements related to optical pathlength -like displacement, small-amplitude vibrations, velocityto sensing of weak optical echoes -for return loss and isolation factor measurements, CD readout and scroll sensing -and also, a special feature because of the interaction with the medium, measurements of physical parameters, like the laser linewidth, coherence length, and the alfa factor. Because it is also a coherent detection scheme, the SMI works close to the quantum limit of the received field, typically 90 dBm, so that minimum detectable amplitudes of 100 pm/ Hz are currently achieved upon operation on diffusive targets, whereas a corner cube allows half-wavelength counting mode -or 0.5 μm resolution -on a dynamic range up to 2 m and more. With its compact setup, the SMI is easy to deploy in the field and can interface a variety of experiments -from MEMS testing to rotating machines vibration testing to pickup of biological motility. The illustration shows a double-channel, differential SMI incorporated in a thermomechanical test equipment to trace the mechanical hysteresis cycle of the beads of a motor-engine brake. : Self-mixing interferometry Figure 2 (online color at: www.lpr-journal.org) Self-coupling interaction can be represented by a rotating-vector addition, with a small returned component a E 0 exp iϕ dynamically added to the cavity field E 0 : the in-phase component cos ϕ generates AM modulation, whereas the in-quadrature component sin ϕ is responsible for FM.2ks (k = wavevector, s = distance) external to the perturbed laser. This is the case studied by Spencer and Lamb in [2]. In applications, we will readily take advantage of weak coupling in self-coupled systems by making out of it very sensitive echo sensors and interferometers.Before proceeding, let us explain the self-mixing modulations as the result of rotating-vector addition [5] as in Fig. 2. Let E 0 be the unperturbed cavity field, and aE 0 expi2ks the field back from the target, a being the attenuation and 2ks the phase delay of propagation. As is well known from communication theory, rotating vector addition generates an AM modulation driven by the in-phase component of the modulating term, that is aE 0 cos 2ks, and an FM by the in-quadrature component, or aE 0 sin 2ks.In applications, while the AM is readily available from the intensity (or power) detected by a photodiode, FM is difficult to retrieve because is impressed onto the optical frequency (it requires frequency downconversion, see Sect. 3.2.3).Also in the weak regime of mutual-coupling we find AM and FM in each of the two interacting lasers, and the driving terms are now the ratio of amplitudes and the frequency difference of the two waves [6]. The...

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Section: Velocity Measurementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Developing self‐mixing interferometry for instrumentation and measurements

Donati

2011

Laser & Photonics Reviews

330

287

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“…The two lasers on the PLN2020 operate independently, thus permitting measurement of the two-component velocity vector of the target relative to the sensor. 9,13 The R.A.T.5 mouse houses the PLN2020 together with a microcontroller enabling the two-component velocity to be sent over a USB interface at a maximum rate of 1 kHz. The computer operating system would normally integrate this signal in time to render the cursor on the computer display.…”

Section: Principle Of Operationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Laser Doppler velocimetry using a modified computer mouse

Zaron

2016

American Journal of Physics

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A computer mouse has been modified for use as a low-cost laser Doppler interferometer and used to measure the two-component fluid velocity of a flowing soap film. The mouse sensor contains two vertical cavity surface emitting lasers, photodiodes, and signal processing hardware integrated into a single package, approximately 1 cm2 in size, and interfaces to a host computer via a standard USB port. Using the principle of self-mixing interferometry, whereby laser light re-enters the laser cavity after being scattered from a moving target, the Doppler shift and velocity of scatterers dispersed in the flow are measured. Observations of the boundary layer in a turbulent soap film channel flow demonstrate the capabilities of the sensor.

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“…17.8), a small portion of the scattered light reflects back into the cavity where it mixes with the strong laser field. When the movement of the object has a component along the direction of the laser beam, the phase of the reflected light continuously shifts with respect to the original laser light, resulting in a periodic variation of the feedback into the laser cavity at a frequency, equal to the Doppler frequency, according to [12] f Doppler = 2v · cosφ λ .…”

Section: Velocity Measurementmentioning

confidence: 99%

VCSELs for Optical Mice and Sensing

Grabherr

Moench

Pruijmboom

2012

Springer Series in Optical Sciences

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A real mass application for VCSELs is their use in optical mice and sensing. As illumination source for sensing applications VCSELs offer a better performance than LEDs. The even more advanced approach of laser self-mixing interference sensors allows a next step in integration, accuracy and new application fields. This chapter summarizes the major requirements towards VCSELs in illumination for sensing applications and gives typical specifications. A detailed description of the production process and the achieved reproducibility makes clear that these VCSELs are ideally suited for production in large quantities. In the second half of the chapter the self-mixing interference method is described in more detail and a highly integrated two axes laser Doppler interferometer is shown. This product is designed for a laser mouse but offers a number of other sensing applications.

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A miniaturized multidirectional optical motion sensor and input device based on laser self-mixing

Cited by 23 publications

References 8 publications

Developing self‐mixing interferometry for instrumentation and measurements

Developing self‐mixing interferometry for instrumentation and measurements

Laser Doppler velocimetry using a modified computer mouse

VCSELs for Optical Mice and Sensing

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