SBIR Phase I: Coherence-gated Backscatter Particle Sizing

这个小企业创新研究（SBIR）第一阶段项目将展示一种创新的光学技术的原理证明，该技术使用反向散射激光来进行颗粒尺寸测量。现有系统的局限性包括需要测量透射光而不是反射光，无法在密集的颗粒场中进行精确测量，以及无法表征颗粒形状。 第一阶段的研究将导致实现一个独特的诊断系统，能够在高浊度介质中进行快速，非侵入性测量;使用后向散射，而不是传输，光;固态光纤结构;成本效益高的增益引导激光二极管光源;和组装从商业现成的组件。粒度测量技术对于不同制造和研究领域的过程表征和控制至关重要。 全球颗粒测量仪器市场估计为3亿美元。 使用颗粒尺寸的行业包括农用化学品、水泥、陶瓷、化妆品、个人护理、土壤测试、废水处理、油漆、油墨和其他表面涂层。 拟议的系统将引入一个专利的新技术，通过一个成熟的商业技术的新扩展的颗粒尺寸领域。

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will show proof of principle for an innovative optical technique using backscattered laser light to perform particle sizing measurements. Limitations of existing systems include the need to measure transmitted instead of reflected light, the inability to make accurate measurements in dense particles fields, and the inability to characterize particle shape. Phase I research will lead to the realization of a unique diagnostic system capable of fast, non-invasive measurements in media of high turbidity; use of backscattered, not transmitted, light; solid-state fiber optic construction; cost effective gain-guided laser diodes for light sources; and assembly from commercial-off-the-shelf components. Particle sizing techniques are critical for process characterization and control in diverse areas of manufacturing and research. The worldwide market for particle sizing instruments has been estimated at $300 million. Industries using particle sizing include agrochemical, cement, ceramics, cosmetics, personal care, soil testing, wastewater processing, paints, inks and other surface coatings. The proposed system will introduce a patentable new technology to the field of particle sizing by the novel extension of a proven commercial technique.