Fundamental measurement problems in engineering mechanics,
manufacturing, and physics are often best solved by powerful whole-field optical methods.
This book presents a lucid up-to-date discussion of these optical methods. Beginning
from a firm base in modern optics, the book proceeds through relevant theory of
interference and diffraction and integrates this theory with descriptions of laboratory
techniques and apparatus. Among the techniques discussed are classical interferometry,
photoelasticity, geometric moire, moire interferometry, holography, holographic
interferometry, laser speckle interferometry, speckle photography, and
digital-video-based speckle methods.
By providing a firm base in the physical principles and at the same time allowing the
reader to perform meaningful experiments related to the topic being studied, the book
offers a unique user-oriented approach that will appeal to students, researchers,
and practicing engineers.
The pedagogical approach is to integrate theory as much as possible with the development of the
optical methods. The theory and the practical use of the theory are offered in a series of parcels.
For example, the beginning offers just enough optical concepts and theory to understand basic
interferometry. These concepts and the associated mathematics are then utilized, first in learning
about some classical two-beam interferometers and subsequently in detailed study of one of the
oldest of interferometric methods in engineering: photoelasticity. The student is then positioned
to do meaningful experiments on these topics while the increment of physical theory needed to
understand the next technique, geometric moire, is presented. This cycle repeats through the
entire text.
This book fills a perceived need by bringing into one volume as much theory and practical
information on optical methods of engineering analysis as are needed by graduating engineers,
graduate students, and industrial stress and motion analysts.
The book has been used as the text for graduate courses in experimental mechanics, an undergraduate survey course, and a 5th-year series of lectures on experimental methods in engineering.