Open AccessSelf-mixing flow sensor using a monolithic VCSEL array with parallel readout
Author(s) -
Yah Leng Lim,
Russell Kliese,
Karl Bertling,
Katsuyoshi Tanimizu,
P. A. Jacobs,
Aleksandar D. Rakić
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.18.011720
Subject(s) - vertical cavity surface emitting laser , optics , mixing (physics) , materials science , frame rate , planar , signal (programming language) , flow (mathematics) , optoelectronics , laser , physics , computer science , computer graphics (images) , quantum mechanics , mechanics , programming language
The self-mixing sensing technique is a compact, interferometric sensing technique that can be used for measuring fluid flows. In this work, we demonstrate a parallel readout self-mixing flow velocity sensing system based on a monolithic Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Laser (VCSEL) array. The parallel sensing scheme enables high-resolution full-field imaging systems employing electronic scanning with faster acquisition rates than mechanical scanning systems. The self-mixing signal is acquired from the variation in VCSEL junction voltage, thus markedly reducing the system complexity. The system was validated by measuring velocity distribution of fluid in a custom built diverging-converging planar flow channel. The results obtained agree well with simulation and demonstrate the feasibility of high frame-rate and resolution parallel self-mixing sensors.