Optical Interferometer for End Standard Size Difference Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical interference measurement methods for size difference calibration of end standards face challenges in achieving high accuracy due to difficulties in maintaining equal wringing conditions, temperature-induced distortions, and limitations in freely choosing the wringing position, leading to errors in size measurement.
Innovation Solution
A size difference measuring method and apparatus that uses an optical interferometer without the wringing step, employing coherent light, beam splitters, and interferometers to measure interference fringes simultaneously for two end standards, allowing for accurate computation of size differences without the need for wringing, while adjusting the posture and temperature control of the end standards to minimize errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If optical interference measurement is performed by wringing end standards to a base plate, then size difference measurement can be conducted, but measurement precision deteriorates due to unequal wringing conditions and temperature distortions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the wringing step from the measurement process. By using a non-contact optical interferometer to measure end standards in their natural state without wringing them to a base plate, the method removes the source of wringing condition variability and associated measurement errors, thereby improving both reliability and precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical wringing system with an optical measurement system. Instead of mechanically wringing end standards to a base plate and measuring them, the invention uses optical interferometry to perform non-contact measurement, eliminating mechanical contact and its associated uncertainties
2Ease of operation
If end standards are wrung side-by-side on a base plate, then position constraints are satisfied for detection, but measurement precision deteriorates due to restricted wringing position choices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the base plate and wringing requirement entirely from the measurement setup. End standards can be positioned freely in space without being constrained to specific wringing locations on a base plate, allowing optimal positioning for detection while maintaining high measurement precision through non-contact optical measurement
3Ease of operation
If wringing is performed manually, then operation is simple, but measurement precision deteriorates due to temperature changes and distortion during wringing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical wringing with an automated optical measurement system. The optical interferometer automatically measures end standards without manual intervention, eliminating temperature changes and distortions caused by manual wringing operations while maintaining ease of operation through automated positioning and measurement
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an optical field as an intermediary between the measurer and the end standards. Instead of direct mechanical contact through wringing, light serves as the intermediary medium for measurement, eliminating the harmful effects of manual manipulation while preserving operational simplicity
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 approach enhances the accuracy of size difference measurements by eliminating wringing-related errors and temperature distortions, enabling precise calculation of size differences between end standards under controlled conditions.
Implementation Method 1
an optical interferometer without wringing comprising: one light emitter (16)；a first half mirror (18)；a first interferometer (20) and a second interferometer (22)
Implementation Method 2
employing coherent light, beam splitters, and interferometers to measure interference fringes simultaneously for two end standards
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A size difference measuring method comprising: an optical interference measuring step without wringing, of obtaining, through simultaneous measurement of interference fringes, size information relating to the end standards which are set between interferometers, by an optical interferometer without wringing that comprises: one light emitter that emits coherent light; a beam splitter, the interferometers which are arranged with predetermined separation interval between them and each of which has an optical axis in agreement with the length-measurement axes of the end standards having known preliminary values; and a first interference fringe observation device and a second interference fringe observation device; and a computing step of computing a difference of a size of the end standards, based on the interference fringe phase differences acquired as the size information of the end standards.