Applied Optics
Optics is the science that describes the behavior and properties of light and the interaction of light with matter. Our expertise in the field of optics covers the following subjects.
- Optical Design and Instrumentation. Optical measurement techniques are used in a lot of everyday applications, including CD/DVD players and burglar alarms. Several optical technologies are playing an increasing role in industrial non-destructive characterisation of surfaces and materials.
- Spectroscopy. When light interacts with matter the interaction is different for different wavelengths, reflecting the physical (e.g. the electronic or structural) properties of the material. Measurement of the spectral response – spectroscopy – can thus be used to map out material properties. Such measurements are useful for a large range of industrial applications.
- Interferometry. Interferometry is a powerful and versatile tool for materials characterisation and testing. Interferometrical techniques are based on the wave properties of the light. The wavelength is the normal for these measurements giving extremely high-accuracy results in the nanometer range. The most important applications are the measurement of shape, deformations, and vibrations.
- Diffractive Optics. SINTEF has developed a design for a low cost spectrometer that with high accuracy can identify materials and gasses using the infrared region of the light spectrum. The spectrometer design was originally developed for Tomra Systems ASA to be used in material characterization of return bottles. The design has shown to give stable and reliable spectrometers with a large span of potential applications.
- Micro Optics. We know micro optical system today in for instance CD- and DVD-systems. High precision, high volume components are produced at low cost. Also the replication techniques enables low cost component for specialized applications. Micromechanical components made from Si-wafers have made possible the immense growth of the telecom capacity needed for the Internet.
- Illumination. All design of optical measurement systems involves illumination design. The optimal illumination depends on the measurement task. Characteristics in the object can be enhanced or suppressed with lighting, in order to simplify the measurement and analysis task. This applies as much to spectroscopy as to machine vision.
Published December 23, 2008
