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Target Diamond Structural Analysis (view source)
Revision as of 13:42, 30 April 2009
, 13:42, 30 April 2009no edit summary
== Probing the Diamond's Structure ==
== Probing the Diamond's Structure ==
[[Image:01 Apparatus with Red Laser.png|thumb|The Michelson interferometer to be used. The diamond is not to scale.]]
We must be able to determine the precise thickness and shape of the diamond chip. Because it is tiny (on the order of 50 microns thick), conventional measurements are impossible. Instead, we will use a modified [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michelson_interferometer Michelson interferometer]. In our design, we will replace one of the mirrors with the target diamond chip. In this modified design, the plane wave returned to the detector will be a combination of three waves (neglecting internal reflection): one reflected off the front of the diamond, one reflected off the back of the diamond, and one reflected off the remaining mirror. However, all that the detector can record is the wave's amplitude. From this, we need to extract thickness and shape.
We must be able to determine the precise thickness and shape of the diamond chip. Because it is tiny (on the order of 50 microns thick), conventional measurements are impossible. Instead, we will use a modified [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michelson_interferometer Michelson interferometer]. In our design, we will replace one of the mirrors with the target diamond chip. In this modified design, the plane wave returned to the detector will be a combination of three waves (neglecting internal reflection): one reflected off the front of the diamond, one reflected off the back of the diamond, and one reflected off the remaining mirror. However, all that the detector can record is the wave's amplitude. From this, we need to extract thickness and shape.
== Compensating for Internal Reflection ==
== Compensating for Internal Reflection ==
[[Image:02 Internal Reflection with Labels.png|thumb|Internal reflection, where C is a coefficient to be multiplied by the amplitude. The angles have been exaggerated from zero degrees.]]
Realistically, the laser will not miraculously split in two upon reaching the diamond, creating one wave that reflects back and a second that reflects off of the back of the diamond and then passes perfectly through the front. Internal reflection will occur; we must calculate how much there will be and whether or not we must compensate for it.
Realistically, the laser will not miraculously split in two upon reaching the diamond, creating one wave that reflects back and a second that reflects off of the back of the diamond and then passes perfectly through the front. Internal reflection will occur; we must calculate how much there will be and whether or not we must compensate for it.