Axisymmetric deformation of rotating liquid mirrors by laser heating

German Da Costa

doi:10.1117/12.615416

30 August 2005 Axisymmetric deformation of rotating liquid mirrors by laser heating

German Da Costa

Proceedings Volume 5867, Optical Modeling and Performance Predictions II; 58670L (2005) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.615416
Event: Optics and Photonics 2005, 2005, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Deformation of rotating liquid surfaces by laser heating is experimentally and theoretically studied. A horizontal plate containing the liquid sample (crude oil with highly temperature-dependent viscosity and surface tension) turns around a vertical axis fixed in the inertial reference frame at an angular speed continuously variable between 0 and 60 rpm. The liquid surface then adopts a classic parabolic profile which works as a convergent mirror for incoming light beams. The liquid surface is smooth and quite insensitive to external vibrations due to its high viscosity. In the next step a CW, CO₂ laser beam parallel to the rotation axis and also at rest in the inertial frame impinges the rotating liquid surface at a given distance from the rotation axis. While the liquid turns, a circular groove is thus ploughed in the liquid surface as a result of the surface tension temperature dependence. The resulting surface profile adopts an axisymmetric stationary shape after a transient heating stage. Its 3D shape at varying turning speed and laser power is experimentally studied by classic fringe-projection techniques. In spite of the low light-reflectivity of the liquid sample, which impedes its practical application in image-forming instruments, the device is useful to build up prototypes of rotating mirrors and to investigate the optical effect of axisymmetric perturbations in their surface profiles.

Citation Download Citation

German Da Costa "Axisymmetric deformation of rotating liquid mirrors by laser heating", Proc. SPIE 5867, Optical Modeling and Performance Predictions II, 58670L (30 August 2005); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.615416

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