Investigation of particulate systems using optical pathlength spectroscopy

Abstract

ABSTRACTIn many industrial applications involving granular media, knowledge about the structural transformations suffered during the industrial process is desirable. Optical techniques are noninvasive, fast, and versatile tools for monitoring such transformations. We have recently introduced optical path-length spectroscopy as a new technique for random media investigation. The principle of the method is to use a partially coherent source in a Michelson interferometer, where the fields from a reference mirror and the sample are combined to obtain an interference signal. When the system under investigation is a multiple-scattering medium, by tuning the optical length of the reference arm, the optical path-length probability density of light backscattered from the sample is obtained. This distribution carries information about the structural details of the medium. In the present paper, we apply the technique of optical path-length spectroscopy to investigate inhomogeneous distributions of particulate dielectrics such as ceramics and powders. The experiments are performed on suspensions of systems with different solid loads, as well as on powders and suspensions of particles with different sizes. We show that the methodology is highly sensitive to changes in volume concentration and particle size and, therefore, it can be successfully used for real-time monitoring. In addition, the technique is fiber optic-based and has all the advantages associated with the inherent versatility.