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Mechanisms, Transmissions and Applications pp 125–132Cite as

Choppers: Optomechatronic Devices for the Controlled Modulation of Light

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Part of the book series: Mechanisms and Machine Science ((Mechan. Machine Science,volume 3))

Abstract

We present our main contributions and current work regarding one of the most used mechatronic devices for optical applications: the choppers. The issues of the macroscopic choppers with rotating wheels are presented, with a focus on the chopping frequency and on the profile of the transmitted flux (the modulation function) generated. The profiles we have investigated theoretically for the classical chopper wheels, with linear margins, and for top hat light beam distributions are discussed. The new configuration of the “eclipse choppers” (with windows with circular margins) we have introduced to produce approximate triangular series of impulses is presented, and the modulation functions produced are characterized. An insight in the experimental part of the study we are currently working on is provided, from the prototype wheels we have manufactured to the optical setup built for the testing of the different geometrical configuration of wheels, and to the first results.

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Acknowledgments

The research work reported here was made possible by Grant 1896/2008 of National University Research Council (NURC/CNCSIS), Romania.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. “Aurel Vlaicu” University of Arad, Arad, Romania

    V.-F. Duma, M.F. Nicolov, M. Kiss, T. Ilca, C. Mnerie, D. Demian & L. Szantho

Authors
  1. V.-F. Duma
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  2. M.F. Nicolov
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  3. M. Kiss
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  4. T. Ilca
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  5. C. Mnerie
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  6. D. Demian
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  7. L. Szantho
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to V.-F. Duma .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. , Mechanical Engineering Faculty, Politehnica University of Timişoara, Bv. Mihai Viteazul 1, Timişoara, RO-300222, Romania

    Erwin-Christian Lovasz

  2. , University Aachen, RWTH Aachen, Eilfschornsteinstrasse 18, Aachen, 52056, Germany

    Burkhard Corves

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Duma, VF. et al. (2012). Choppers: Optomechatronic Devices for the Controlled Modulation of Light. In: Lovasz, EC., Corves, B. (eds) Mechanisms, Transmissions and Applications. Mechanisms and Machine Science, vol 3. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-2727-4_11

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-2727-4_11

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-007-2726-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-007-2727-4

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