Chromatic confocal displacement sensing at oblique incidence angles

Area of Science:

• Optics and Photonics
• Metrology
• Surface Characterization

Background:

• Chromatic confocal displacement sensors are typically designed for normal incidence measurements.
• Probing reflective targets at oblique angles presents challenges for standard sensor configurations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To adapt a commercial chromatic confocal displacement sensor for oblique incidence measurements.
• To enhance the versatility of displacement sensing technology for reflective surfaces.

Main Methods:

• Modification of a standard chromatic confocal displacement sensor.
• Integration of a collimating lens and a retro-reflector into the sensor's reflection path.
• Testing the adapted sensor's performance at oblique incidence angles.

Main Results:

• Successful adaptation of the sensor for oblique angle measurements.
• Demonstration of the sensor's capability to probe reflective targets at non-normal incidence.
• Validation of the low-cost optical element integration.

Conclusions:

• The modified sensor provides a cost-effective solution for oblique angle displacement measurements.
• This adaptation expands the application range of chromatic confocal sensing technology.
• Further research can explore optimization for various reflective materials and angles.