Caliper sensor and method using mid-infrared interferometry

摘要

Non-contacting caliper measurements of free standing sheets such as porous polymer and paper detect mid-IR interferometric fringes created by the reflection of light from the top and bottom surfaces of the sheet. The technique includes directing a laser beam at a selected angle of incidence onto a single spot on the exposed outer surface wherein the laser beam comprises radiation having a wavelength in the 3-50 micron range and scanning the laser beam through a selected angle range as the laser beam is directed onto the exposed outer surface and measuring the intensity of an interference pattern that forms from the superposition of radiation that is reflected From the exposed outer surface and from the inner surface. Thickness can be extracted from the fringe separation in the interference pattern. Rotating and focusing elements ensure that the spot position on the sheet remains the same while varying the incident angle.

主权项

1. A method of measuring the thickness of a moving web, which has a first side and a second side, that comprises:
a. supporting the moving web so that the moving web has a free standing portion where the moving web has an exposed outer surface on the first side and an inner surface on the second side; b. directing a laser beam at a selected angle of incidence onto a single spot on the exposed outer surface on the first side, wherein the laser beam comprises substantially monochromatic radiation having a wavelength in the 3-50 micron range; c. scanning the laser beam through a selected angle range as the laser beam is directed onto the single spot on the exposed outer surface; d. measuring the intensity of an interference pattern that forms from the superposition of radiation that is reflected from the first side, the exposed outer surface, and from the second side, the inner surface; and e. extracting the thickness of the moving web at the single spot by utilizing a relationship among the laser beam incident angle, wavelength, index of refraction of the web, and web thickness.