The article discusses a new spatio-temporal profilometer device developed by NIST. This device performs time-resolved spatial profilometry to create a uniform light profile. The key components include:
1. A substrate that supports the device
2. A tapered optical collimator waveguide that receives diverging light, reflects it internally, and collimates it
3. A fluid channel that carries a fluid containing microparticles
4. A light-fluid interaction volume where the collimated light overlaps with the fluid in the channel
When the microparticles in the fluid interact with the collimated light, the device produces product light. By analyzing this light, the spatio-temporal profilometer can determine the spatial and temporal profile of the microparticles in the fluid channel.
The main purpose of this device is to create a uniform light profile for studying the behavior of microparticles in a fluid. The time-resolved spatial profilometry allows for the measurement of both the position and movement of the microparticles over time. This technology could have applications in various fields, such as drug delivery, environmental monitoring, and materials science.
Keywords: Profilometry, Microparticles, Waveguide, Metrology, Collimation
