GOALI: Accurate, High Resolution Ladar for 3D Metrology at Large Standoff Distances

GOALI项目的研究目标是将调频连续波激光雷达应用于高分辨率、非接触式、大体积、三维测量。由于有限尺寸接收器的光学衍射，非接触式光学三维测量方法在更大的范围内受到限制。然而，可调谐激光光源现在可以提供足够的光学带宽，以实现50微米以下的测距分辨率，并具有测量精度，在几十米距离内以较短的积分时间漫反射小于一个光学波长的目标。该项目的方法是利用可调谐激光光源提供的超高距离分辨率，并应用三边测量和合成孔径成像技术来利用该分辨率进行横向测量。该项目将研究来自多个运动和静止光圈的超高分辨率三维合成孔径图像的形成和精确配准。对于计量应用，激光光源的调谐率必须是稳定和精确校准的。因此，一个子目标将研究校准测量系统的基本和实际限度。如果成功，研究项目的好处将包括展示一种新的准确、大规模、非接触式工业计量的新方法。这种方法可以使制造超大型精密机械的航空航天和能源等行业受益，提高制造速度和成本，并通过更严格的公差提高机器寿命。这将有助于加强美国的制造业基础，并使国民经济受益。该项目还将帮助蒙大拿州立大学光谱实验室的学生在光学和工程方面进行教育和培训，这是一个独特的大学研究环境，包括与蒙大拿州当地光学行业的密切合作，蒙大拿州以农村为主，是EPSCoR的成员国。

The research objective of this Grant Opportunity for Academic Liaison with Industry (GOALI) project is to apply frequency modulated continuous wave laser radar, also known as ladar, to high resolution, non-contact, large-volume, three-dimensional metrology. Non-contact methods of optical three-dimensional metrology are limited at longer ranges due to optical diffraction from finite sized receiver optics. Tunable laser sources, however, can now provide sufficient optical bandwidth to achieve ranging resolution of sub 50 microns with measurement precisions to diffuse targets of less than an optical wavelength in short integration times at tens of meter distances. The approach of this project is use the ultra-high range resolution provided by tunable laser sources, and apply trilateration and synthetic aperture imaging techniques to leverage this resolution for measurements transverse to the optical propagation. The project will investigate the formation and accurate registration of ultra-high resolution three-dimensional synthetic aperture images from multiple moving and stationary apertures. For metrology applications the tuning rate of the laser source must be stable and accurately calibrated. Therefore, a sub-objective will research the fundamental and practical limits to calibrating the measurement system.If successful, the benefits of the research project will include demonstration of a novel new method for accurate, large-scale, non-contact, industrial metrology. This method could benefit industries such as aerospace and energy that manufacture very large precision machinery, improving the speed and cost of manufacturing and improve machine life through tighter tolerances. This will help strengthen the United States' manufacturing base and benefit the national economy. This project will also help educate and train students in optics and engineering at Montana State University-Spectrum Lab a unique university research environment that includes close collaboration with the local optics industry in largely rural Montana, which is an EPSCoR member state.