Rotary Delay Line Research Articles

Compact flexible multi-pass rotary delay line using spinning micro-machined mirrors

We propose a new method to extend the path length tunability of rotary delay-lines. This method was shown to achieve a duty cycle of >80% and repetition rates of over 40 kHz. The new method relies on a new multi-segmented micro-machined mirror and serial injection of a single reflection onto separate segments of this mirror. The tunability is provided by the relative positioning of each reflective point on the mirror segments. There are two distinct modes of operation: synchronous and asynchronous. By simply manipulating the spatial position of the returning paths over the respective mirror segments, we can switch between increasing the repetition rate (asynchronous mode) or the total delay path (synchronous mode). We experimentally demonstrated up to 8 m/s scans with repetition rates of up to 42.7 kHz. Furthermore, we present numerical simulations of 18 reflection points to illustrate possibility of achieving a scan speed of up to 80 m/s. Through intermediate combinations of synchronous and asynchronous operation modes with 4 or more passes, we also show that the system can simultaneously increase both repetition rate and scan depth.

Time Resolved Dynamic Measurements at THz Frequencies Using a Rotary Optical Delay Line

Fabrication, characterization, and applications of a fast rotary linear optical delay line (FRLODL) for THz time-domain spectroscopy are presented. The FRLODL features two reflective surfaces with spatially separated incoming and outgoing beams. It has been manufactured using CNC machining. A linear dependence of the optical delay on the rotation angle allows a straightforward extraction of the conversion factor between the acquisition time (in ms) and the terahertz pulse time (in ps). We also discuss the accuracy of the rotary delay line detailing the possible sources of imprecision. The FRLODL has been tested using rotation speeds of up to 48 Hz, corresponding to an acquisition rate of up to 192 Hz with four blades incorporated on the same disk. At high speeds we observe a decrease of the bandwidth due to the limitations of the electronics, in particular, the transimpedance amplifier. An error analysis is performed by experimentally evaluating the signal-to-noise ratio and the dynamic range. With regard to the applications of the FRLODL, we first present observation of the evaporation of liquids, namely water, acetone and methanol. We then demonstrate monitoring of the spray painting process. Finally, detection of fast moving objects at 1 m/s and their thickness characterization are presented.