Surface light scattering: integrated technology and signal processing

The miniaturization of surface-scattering instruments for measuring viscoelastic properties is investigated. The concepts are based on the use of holographic optical elements and integrated optics. Compact forms of optics that provide the necessary spatial and angular selections are devised. Four systems representing increasing levels of integration are considered. It is demonstrated that efficient signal and data processing can be achieved by evaluation of the statistics of the derivative of the instantaneous phase of the detector signal.