Interferometer Vibration Isolation via Evacuated Housing and Foam
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mounting systems for interferometers, particularly in OFDR applications, are ineffective in reducing mechanical and acoustic vibrations, which compromise the fidelity of data obtained by these sensitive instruments.
Innovation Solution
A support system that suspends the interferometer in a housing with mechanical vibration isolators, utilizing a foam bed and an evacuated enclosure to further attenuate vibrations, where the interferometer is secured with studs and an optics tray, ensuring effective isolation from mechanical and acoustic disturbances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the interferometer is mounted on a support surface with mechanical isolators, then some vibration isolation is achieved, but the isolation effectiveness is insufficient and vibration effects remain
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system is divided into separate functional components: rigid support structure for positioning, foam vibration isolation layer for mechanical vibration damping, and acoustic isolation materials for acoustic noise reduction. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its specific function without compromising overall performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The support surface utilizes composite construction combining rigid structural elements with foam vibration isolation materials and acoustic isolation materials. This composite approach provides simultaneous mechanical support, vibration damping, and acoustic isolation, effectively addressing multiple harmful factors together.
2Measurement precision
If the interferometer is isolated from vibrations, then measurement precision improves, but the device complexity increases due to additional isolation components
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple isolation functions (mechanical vibration isolation, acoustic isolation, and thermal stabilization) are merged into a single integrated mounting structure. The foam layer and acoustic materials are incorporated directly into the support surface assembly, eliminating the need for separate isolation systems and reducing overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting system is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: structural support, mechanical vibration isolation, acoustic isolation, and thermal stabilization. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby simplifying the overall system.
3Ease of operation
If the interferometer is mounted with other components on the same support surface, then ease of operation is improved, but vibration isolation effectiveness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The interferometer is extracted from the general support surface and mounted on a dedicated isolated platform. This separation allows the interferometer to have its own specialized vibration isolation and acoustic isolation environment, preventing vibration transmission from other components while maintaining ease of operation through integrated mounting features.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution significantly enhances the systemic performance by effectively isolating the interferometer from mechanical and acoustic vibrations, improving the fidelity of data collected by reducing vibration-induced errors.
Implementation Method 1
a foam layer beneath the interferometer
Implementation Method 2
The enclosure is evacuated to further attenuate acoustic vibration
Data Source
AI summary
An interferometer has its performance enhanced by being suspended in a housing that is optionally evacuated. The frame that supports the interferometer is secured to a cover for the housing with a plurality of studs having mechanical vibration isolators. The frame comprises a support flange with a foam layer beneath the interferometer. An optics tray is disposed above the interferometer and holds the assembly to the support flange. The fibers that are connected to the interferometer enter the side of the housing and the entry is sealed off to allow the interior of the housing to be evacuated.