Coherent Optics Laboratory
The Coherent Optics Laboratory at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, MI, is equipped to perform non-contact full-field measurement of the mechanical behavior of solid bodies. The laboratory is available on a contract basis, and short courses can be designed to meet the needs of industry.
Optical measurement
Optical measurement techniques used in the laboratory include:
- Holographic interferometry
- Speckle-shearing interferometry
- Strobo-scopic holography
- Time-integrated holography.
These techniques allow non-contact detection and measurement of stress, stress concentrations, distortions due to loading, residual stress, steady state vibration amplitudes, steady-state vibration modal analysis, and other related mechanical characteristics.
Laboratory equipment
- Four helium-neon lasers
- A high quality air-suspended optical table
- Three high-strength optical tables for larger manufactured components
- Two digital image processing work stations.
The image processing workstations are designed for prototype development of systems for industrial applications where measurement, inspection, and/or alignment is required.
Hardware and software
- Algor and ANSYS finite element software is accessible in the laboratory for numerical evaluation of manufactured parts and assemblies.
- Image Lab and in-house software are used to support image analysis requirements.
- Stratgraphics software is available for statistical analysis and data processing.
For more information:
More information is available from Dr. Richard B. Hathaway, laboratory director.