Iain Mauchline - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Iain Mauchline

Very high bypass ratio (VHBR) engines will realize significant environmental benefits as lower fu... more Very high bypass ratio (VHBR) engines will realize significant environmental benefits as lower fuel consumption contributes to a reduction in CO2, NOx and non-volatile particulate matter emission. VHBR engine performance tests will require representative CO2 measurement, and here we propose the use fo a chemical species tomography (CST) measurement system to fully map the output CO2 from the engine core exhaust. In addition, we propose a technique allowing the 2D measurement of exhaust nvPM concentration that will provide an increased understanding of the complex injecto-to-injector fuel flow variation.

Optical Sensors and Sensing Congress, 2020

Quantification of aero-engine emission is typically carried out using etfractive sampling resulti... more Quantification of aero-engine emission is typically carried out using etfractive sampling resulting in poor spatio-temporal resolution. Here we present recent images obtained using non-intrusive chemical species tomography on a large-scale commercial aero-engine.

This paper describes our approach to introducing the basic principles of experimental Biophotonic... more This paper describes our approach to introducing the basic principles of experimental Biophotonics to undergraduates. We have centred on optical microscopy since this is fundamental to most experimental activity associated with Biophotonics whether as a research, diagnostic or therapeutic tool. The major issues associated with imaging include spatial resolution, image enhancement and image interpretation. We have elected to guide students through the principles underlying these concepts by using three linked experimental investigations. The first deals with Fourier Optics and imaging at the fundamental level including the impact of such factors as numerical aperture, illumination wavelength and spatial filtering. The second is an introduction to optical microscopy including the use of digital image capture and basic image manipulation, whilst the third investigates image enhancement techniques such as the use of fluorescent labels and specifically tailored illumination techniques.

Paper describes research in the field of gas spectroscopy in near infrared optical fibre networks.

SPIE Proceedings, 2005

Practical bit error rate measurements on fibre optic communications links in student teaching lab... more Practical bit error rate measurements on fibre optic communications links in student teaching laboratories," Proc. SPIE 9664, Ninth International Topical Meeting on Education and Training in Optics and Photonics, 96642I (

Education and Training in Optics and Photonics, 2009

This paper describes our approach to introducing the basic principles of experimental Biophotonic... more This paper describes our approach to introducing the basic principles of experimental Biophotonics to undergraduates. We have centred on optical microscopy since this is fundamental to most experimental activity associated with Biophotonics whether as a research, diagnostic or therapeutic tool. The major issues associated with imaging include spatial resolution, image enhancement and image interpretation. We have elected to guide students through the principles underlying these concepts by using three linked experimental investigations. The first deals with Fourier Optics and imaging at the fundamental level including the impact of such factors as numerical aperture, illumination wavelength and spatial filtering. The second is an introduction to optical microscopy including the use of digital image capture and basic image manipulation, whilst the third investigates image enhancement techniques such as the use of fluorescent labels and specifically tailored illumination techniques. This paper is freely available as a resource for the optics and photonics education community.

Education and Training in Optics and Photonics, 2007

In this paper we describe a new family of teaching packages designed to offer a practical introdu... more In this paper we describe a new family of teaching packages designed to offer a practical introduction for graduate students of Science and Engineering to the topic of wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) in fibre optics. The teaching packages described here provide students with the background theory before embarking on a series of practical experiments to demonstrate the operation and characterisation of WDM components and systems. The packages are designed in a modular format to allow the user to develop from the fundamentals of fibre optical components through to the concepts of WDM and dense WDM (DWDM) systems and onto advanced topics covering aspects of Bragg gratings. This paper examines the educational objectives, background theory, and typical results for these educational packages.

Fifth International Topical Meeting on Education and Training in Optics, 1997

Opto-Ireland 2005: Photonic Engineering, 2005

ABSTRACT Optical fibre communications has proved to be one of the key application areas, which cr... more ABSTRACT Optical fibre communications has proved to be one of the key application areas, which created, and ultimately propelled the global growth of the photonics industry over the last twenty years. Consequently the teaching of the principles of optical fibre communications has become integral to many university courses covering photonics technology. However to reinforce the fundamental principles and key technical issues students examine in their lecture courses and to develop their experimental skills, it is critical that the students also obtain hands-on practical experience of photonics components, instruments and systems in an associated teaching laboratory. In recognition of this need OptoSci, in collaboration with university academics, commercially developed a fibre optic communications based educational package (ED-COM). This educator kit enables students to; investigate the characteristics of the individual communications system components (sources, transmitters, fibre, receiver), examine and interpret the overall system performance limitations imposed by attenuation and dispersion, conduct system design and performance analysis. To further enhance the experimental programme examined in the fibre optic communications kit, an extension module to ED-COM has recently been introduced examining one of the most significant performance parameters of digital communications systems, the bit error rate (BER). This add-on module, BER(COM), enables students to generate, evaluate and investigate signal quality trends by examining eye patterns, and explore the bit-rate limitations imposed on communication systems by noise, attenuation and dispersion. This paper will examine the educational objectives, background theory, and typical results for these educator kits, with particular emphasis on BER(COM).

SPIE Proceedings, 2002

In response to industry's need for scientists and engineers skilled in the design, manufacture an... more In response to industry's need for scientists and engineers skilled in the design, manufacture and operation of photonics systems, Strathclyde University and OptoSci Ltd. have developed a suite of Photonics Educator Kits, which enable students to experimentally investigate all of the major technical features, principles and design issues of optical waveguides, optical communications systems, erbium doped fiber amplifiers and lasers. To support these applications experiments we have recently added a range ofkits enabling students to experimentally investigate the basics of physical optics covering reflection, refraction, polarisation, diffraction, coherence and interference. In this paper, we will describe the educational objectives and the design philosophies behind the development of these kits. To illustrate these, full details of the experimental procedures, the results and the benefits to the student will be discussed for the recently upgraded optical communications kit and the erbium doped fiber amplifier (EDFA) system, in particular addressing the crucially important noise characteristics of optical amplifiers. 1. INI'RODUCTION Modern Optics and Photonics currently drive major technical advancement in such a diversity of technologies as telecommunications, measurement science, industrial and environmental sensing, medical diagnostics and bio-sciences. In particular, the world's main trunk telecommunications systems, the global internet and mobile phone communications systems are all founded on Photonics networks. Companies operating in these fields have an ever increasing demand for highly skilled scientists and engineers who can design, build, analyse, install and operate photonic systems. There is no doubt that the learning experience ofthese professional technologists is greatly enhanced during their graduate or undergraduate studies by exposure to hands on, practical experience of photonics components and systems. Strathclyde University, in collaboration with OptoSci Ltd., have developed a suite of Photonics Educator Kits which enable students to experimentally investigate all of the major technical features, principles and design issues of optical waveguides, optical communications systems, erbium doped fiber amplifiers and lasers. These applications kits are now supported by a range of experiments examining the fundamentals of physical optics, covering reflection, refraction, polarisation, diffraction, coherence and interference. In the development of all of these systems we adhere to a strict design philosophy and procedure, which ensures that all ofthe important educational objectives are met. A working knowledge and understanding of the components of a fiber optic communications system and the limits imposed on the system performance by the component characteristics are invaluable for any student going on to work with photonic systems. Hence, two of the most important kits address optical communications systems and their component parts including optical amplifiers. Details of a previous version of the optical communications system kit and some aspects ofthe EDFA kit have been reported in the past1'2 Recently, we have upgraded the communications kit to use 62.5/125pm graded index fiber (replacing the multi mode step index fiber). This enables the students to more clearly explore the separate effects of material and modal dispersion and their effects on the system performance. The most important characteristic of optical amplifiers as regards the limitations they impose on system performance is noise. Recent adaptations to the EDFA kit enable students to investigate the noise characteristics of the amplifier and simple exercises based on their noise measurements allow them to appreciate the effects of amplifier noise on the overall system performance. Here we describe these two kits in detail covering educational objectives, design philosophies, the hardware involved, the experimental procedures followed by students and sample results. For the EDFA kit we will concentrate on the noise characteristics as the gain characteristics have been addressed in previous publications1' 2

Proceedings of the IEEE, 2000

Education and Training in Optics and Photonics, 2003

The burgeoning growth of the worldwide photonics and optical communications industry has imposed ... more The burgeoning growth of the worldwide photonics and optical communications industry has imposed ever increasing demands on the supply of suitably skilled engineers and scientists who can design, install and operate modern photonics systems. In recognition of this need OptoSci, in collaboration with university academics, has commercially developed a series of hardware based teaching packages in optics, optoelectronics and optical communications. Each educator kit is fully self-contained, including all of the optoelectronic hardware and comprehensive literature support. This saves the academic tutor considerable development time and enables the kits to be immediately installed in the photonics teaching laboratory to support accompanying lecture courses. A fundamental design objective of our educator kits is to provide students with hands-on practical experience of photonics components, instruments and systems and allow them to investigate essential physical principles and key technical issues relevant to their lecture courses. This paper will outline the design philosophy behind the products to meet the desired educational aims, and then examine the specific educational objectives and topics investigated in each educator kit.

Douglas (2009) Gas sensing based on optical fibre coupled diode laser spectroscopy: a new approac... more Douglas (2009) Gas sensing based on optical fibre coupled diode laser spectroscopy: a new approach to sensor systems for safety monitoring. Proceedings from 9th IMVC mine ventilation conference Delhi, November 2009. pp. 949-958.

ABSTRACT The Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifier (EDFA) has now replaced optoelectronic repeaters as the... more ABSTRACT The Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifier (EDFA) has now replaced optoelectronic repeaters as the primary design option for extending the range and capacity of the World's fiber optic telecommunications systems. In a broader sense, optical amplifiers are the ...

Optical Engineering, 1997

We describe a novel integrated optic comb filter consisting of two single-mode guides placed symm... more We describe a novel integrated optic comb filter consisting of two single-mode guides placed symmetrically about a central multimode guide. Phase-matched coupling to the various modes of the multimode guide occurs at a series of wavelengths to give both a channel-drop and a channel-pass response. We used and extended coupled-mode theory to analyze and predict the filter performance in terms of its design parameters. The theoretical results presented should prove useful in the practical fabrication of the device and demonstrate the trade-offs required between the filter parameters of linewidth, extinction ratio and sidelobe levels.

A novel integrated optic filtering element exhibiting a comb filter response has been achieved ba... more A novel integrated optic filtering element exhibiting a comb filter response has been achieved based on the coupling between an ion exchange waveguide to individual higher order modes of a multimoded overlay film. A K+/Na+ exchanged guide is fabricated in BK7 optical quality glass and designed to be singled moded over the 1 micrometers to 1.6 micrometers operating range, a calcium fluoride buffer region is then deposited before a high index film of zinc sulphide is evaporated onto the structure. Several devices have been fabricated to investigate the effects of varying the thickness of the overlay and that of the buffer layer. The notch widths observed to date range from 8 nm to 50 nm with channel spacings ranging between 150 nm and 220 nm; these coupled wavelengths agree well with the theoretical predictions.

Ninth International Topical Meeting on Education and Training in Optics and Photonics, 2005

Education and Training in Optics and Photonics, 2003

The burgeoning growth of the worldwide photonics and optical communications industry has imposed ... more The burgeoning growth of the worldwide photonics and optical communications industry has imposed ever increasing demands on the supply of suitably skilled engineers and scientists who can design, install and operate modern photonics systems. In recognition of this need OptoSci, in collaboration with university academics, has commercially developed a series of hardware based teaching packages in optics, optoelectronics and optical communications. Each educator kit is fully self-contained, including all of the optoelectronic hardware and comprehensive literature support. This saves the academic tutor considerable development time and enables the kits to be immediately installed in the photonics teaching laboratory to support accompanying lecture courses. A fundamental design objective of our educator kits is to provide students with hands-on practical experience of photonics components, instruments and systems and allow them to investigate essential physical principles and key technical issues relevant to their lecture courses. This paper will outline the design philosophy behind the products to meet the desired educational aims, and then examine the specific educational objectives and topics investigated in each educator kit.

Very high bypass ratio (VHBR) engines will realize significant environmental benefits as lower fu... more Very high bypass ratio (VHBR) engines will realize significant environmental benefits as lower fuel consumption contributes to a reduction in CO2, NOx and non-volatile particulate matter emission. VHBR engine performance tests will require representative CO2 measurement, and here we propose the use fo a chemical species tomography (CST) measurement system to fully map the output CO2 from the engine core exhaust. In addition, we propose a technique allowing the 2D measurement of exhaust nvPM concentration that will provide an increased understanding of the complex injecto-to-injector fuel flow variation.

Optical Sensors and Sensing Congress, 2020

Quantification of aero-engine emission is typically carried out using etfractive sampling resulti... more Quantification of aero-engine emission is typically carried out using etfractive sampling resulting in poor spatio-temporal resolution. Here we present recent images obtained using non-intrusive chemical species tomography on a large-scale commercial aero-engine.

This paper describes our approach to introducing the basic principles of experimental Biophotonic... more This paper describes our approach to introducing the basic principles of experimental Biophotonics to undergraduates. We have centred on optical microscopy since this is fundamental to most experimental activity associated with Biophotonics whether as a research, diagnostic or therapeutic tool. The major issues associated with imaging include spatial resolution, image enhancement and image interpretation. We have elected to guide students through the principles underlying these concepts by using three linked experimental investigations. The first deals with Fourier Optics and imaging at the fundamental level including the impact of such factors as numerical aperture, illumination wavelength and spatial filtering. The second is an introduction to optical microscopy including the use of digital image capture and basic image manipulation, whilst the third investigates image enhancement techniques such as the use of fluorescent labels and specifically tailored illumination techniques.

Paper describes research in the field of gas spectroscopy in near infrared optical fibre networks.

SPIE Proceedings, 2005

Practical bit error rate measurements on fibre optic communications links in student teaching lab... more Practical bit error rate measurements on fibre optic communications links in student teaching laboratories," Proc. SPIE 9664, Ninth International Topical Meeting on Education and Training in Optics and Photonics, 96642I (

Education and Training in Optics and Photonics, 2009

This paper describes our approach to introducing the basic principles of experimental Biophotonic... more This paper describes our approach to introducing the basic principles of experimental Biophotonics to undergraduates. We have centred on optical microscopy since this is fundamental to most experimental activity associated with Biophotonics whether as a research, diagnostic or therapeutic tool. The major issues associated with imaging include spatial resolution, image enhancement and image interpretation. We have elected to guide students through the principles underlying these concepts by using three linked experimental investigations. The first deals with Fourier Optics and imaging at the fundamental level including the impact of such factors as numerical aperture, illumination wavelength and spatial filtering. The second is an introduction to optical microscopy including the use of digital image capture and basic image manipulation, whilst the third investigates image enhancement techniques such as the use of fluorescent labels and specifically tailored illumination techniques. This paper is freely available as a resource for the optics and photonics education community.

Education and Training in Optics and Photonics, 2007

In this paper we describe a new family of teaching packages designed to offer a practical introdu... more In this paper we describe a new family of teaching packages designed to offer a practical introduction for graduate students of Science and Engineering to the topic of wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) in fibre optics. The teaching packages described here provide students with the background theory before embarking on a series of practical experiments to demonstrate the operation and characterisation of WDM components and systems. The packages are designed in a modular format to allow the user to develop from the fundamentals of fibre optical components through to the concepts of WDM and dense WDM (DWDM) systems and onto advanced topics covering aspects of Bragg gratings. This paper examines the educational objectives, background theory, and typical results for these educational packages.

Fifth International Topical Meeting on Education and Training in Optics, 1997

Opto-Ireland 2005: Photonic Engineering, 2005

ABSTRACT Optical fibre communications has proved to be one of the key application areas, which cr... more ABSTRACT Optical fibre communications has proved to be one of the key application areas, which created, and ultimately propelled the global growth of the photonics industry over the last twenty years. Consequently the teaching of the principles of optical fibre communications has become integral to many university courses covering photonics technology. However to reinforce the fundamental principles and key technical issues students examine in their lecture courses and to develop their experimental skills, it is critical that the students also obtain hands-on practical experience of photonics components, instruments and systems in an associated teaching laboratory. In recognition of this need OptoSci, in collaboration with university academics, commercially developed a fibre optic communications based educational package (ED-COM). This educator kit enables students to; investigate the characteristics of the individual communications system components (sources, transmitters, fibre, receiver), examine and interpret the overall system performance limitations imposed by attenuation and dispersion, conduct system design and performance analysis. To further enhance the experimental programme examined in the fibre optic communications kit, an extension module to ED-COM has recently been introduced examining one of the most significant performance parameters of digital communications systems, the bit error rate (BER). This add-on module, BER(COM), enables students to generate, evaluate and investigate signal quality trends by examining eye patterns, and explore the bit-rate limitations imposed on communication systems by noise, attenuation and dispersion. This paper will examine the educational objectives, background theory, and typical results for these educator kits, with particular emphasis on BER(COM).

SPIE Proceedings, 2002

In response to industry's need for scientists and engineers skilled in the design, manufacture an... more In response to industry's need for scientists and engineers skilled in the design, manufacture and operation of photonics systems, Strathclyde University and OptoSci Ltd. have developed a suite of Photonics Educator Kits, which enable students to experimentally investigate all of the major technical features, principles and design issues of optical waveguides, optical communications systems, erbium doped fiber amplifiers and lasers. To support these applications experiments we have recently added a range ofkits enabling students to experimentally investigate the basics of physical optics covering reflection, refraction, polarisation, diffraction, coherence and interference. In this paper, we will describe the educational objectives and the design philosophies behind the development of these kits. To illustrate these, full details of the experimental procedures, the results and the benefits to the student will be discussed for the recently upgraded optical communications kit and the erbium doped fiber amplifier (EDFA) system, in particular addressing the crucially important noise characteristics of optical amplifiers. 1. INI'RODUCTION Modern Optics and Photonics currently drive major technical advancement in such a diversity of technologies as telecommunications, measurement science, industrial and environmental sensing, medical diagnostics and bio-sciences. In particular, the world's main trunk telecommunications systems, the global internet and mobile phone communications systems are all founded on Photonics networks. Companies operating in these fields have an ever increasing demand for highly skilled scientists and engineers who can design, build, analyse, install and operate photonic systems. There is no doubt that the learning experience ofthese professional technologists is greatly enhanced during their graduate or undergraduate studies by exposure to hands on, practical experience of photonics components and systems. Strathclyde University, in collaboration with OptoSci Ltd., have developed a suite of Photonics Educator Kits which enable students to experimentally investigate all of the major technical features, principles and design issues of optical waveguides, optical communications systems, erbium doped fiber amplifiers and lasers. These applications kits are now supported by a range of experiments examining the fundamentals of physical optics, covering reflection, refraction, polarisation, diffraction, coherence and interference. In the development of all of these systems we adhere to a strict design philosophy and procedure, which ensures that all ofthe important educational objectives are met. A working knowledge and understanding of the components of a fiber optic communications system and the limits imposed on the system performance by the component characteristics are invaluable for any student going on to work with photonic systems. Hence, two of the most important kits address optical communications systems and their component parts including optical amplifiers. Details of a previous version of the optical communications system kit and some aspects ofthe EDFA kit have been reported in the past1'2 Recently, we have upgraded the communications kit to use 62.5/125pm graded index fiber (replacing the multi mode step index fiber). This enables the students to more clearly explore the separate effects of material and modal dispersion and their effects on the system performance. The most important characteristic of optical amplifiers as regards the limitations they impose on system performance is noise. Recent adaptations to the EDFA kit enable students to investigate the noise characteristics of the amplifier and simple exercises based on their noise measurements allow them to appreciate the effects of amplifier noise on the overall system performance. Here we describe these two kits in detail covering educational objectives, design philosophies, the hardware involved, the experimental procedures followed by students and sample results. For the EDFA kit we will concentrate on the noise characteristics as the gain characteristics have been addressed in previous publications1' 2

Proceedings of the IEEE, 2000

Education and Training in Optics and Photonics, 2003

The burgeoning growth of the worldwide photonics and optical communications industry has imposed ... more The burgeoning growth of the worldwide photonics and optical communications industry has imposed ever increasing demands on the supply of suitably skilled engineers and scientists who can design, install and operate modern photonics systems. In recognition of this need OptoSci, in collaboration with university academics, has commercially developed a series of hardware based teaching packages in optics, optoelectronics and optical communications. Each educator kit is fully self-contained, including all of the optoelectronic hardware and comprehensive literature support. This saves the academic tutor considerable development time and enables the kits to be immediately installed in the photonics teaching laboratory to support accompanying lecture courses. A fundamental design objective of our educator kits is to provide students with hands-on practical experience of photonics components, instruments and systems and allow them to investigate essential physical principles and key technical issues relevant to their lecture courses. This paper will outline the design philosophy behind the products to meet the desired educational aims, and then examine the specific educational objectives and topics investigated in each educator kit.

Douglas (2009) Gas sensing based on optical fibre coupled diode laser spectroscopy: a new approac... more Douglas (2009) Gas sensing based on optical fibre coupled diode laser spectroscopy: a new approach to sensor systems for safety monitoring. Proceedings from 9th IMVC mine ventilation conference Delhi, November 2009. pp. 949-958.

ABSTRACT The Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifier (EDFA) has now replaced optoelectronic repeaters as the... more ABSTRACT The Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifier (EDFA) has now replaced optoelectronic repeaters as the primary design option for extending the range and capacity of the World's fiber optic telecommunications systems. In a broader sense, optical amplifiers are the ...

Optical Engineering, 1997

We describe a novel integrated optic comb filter consisting of two single-mode guides placed symm... more We describe a novel integrated optic comb filter consisting of two single-mode guides placed symmetrically about a central multimode guide. Phase-matched coupling to the various modes of the multimode guide occurs at a series of wavelengths to give both a channel-drop and a channel-pass response. We used and extended coupled-mode theory to analyze and predict the filter performance in terms of its design parameters. The theoretical results presented should prove useful in the practical fabrication of the device and demonstrate the trade-offs required between the filter parameters of linewidth, extinction ratio and sidelobe levels.

A novel integrated optic filtering element exhibiting a comb filter response has been achieved ba... more A novel integrated optic filtering element exhibiting a comb filter response has been achieved based on the coupling between an ion exchange waveguide to individual higher order modes of a multimoded overlay film. A K+/Na+ exchanged guide is fabricated in BK7 optical quality glass and designed to be singled moded over the 1 micrometers to 1.6 micrometers operating range, a calcium fluoride buffer region is then deposited before a high index film of zinc sulphide is evaporated onto the structure. Several devices have been fabricated to investigate the effects of varying the thickness of the overlay and that of the buffer layer. The notch widths observed to date range from 8 nm to 50 nm with channel spacings ranging between 150 nm and 220 nm; these coupled wavelengths agree well with the theoretical predictions.

Ninth International Topical Meeting on Education and Training in Optics and Photonics, 2005

Education and Training in Optics and Photonics, 2003

The burgeoning growth of the worldwide photonics and optical communications industry has imposed ... more The burgeoning growth of the worldwide photonics and optical communications industry has imposed ever increasing demands on the supply of suitably skilled engineers and scientists who can design, install and operate modern photonics systems. In recognition of this need OptoSci, in collaboration with university academics, has commercially developed a series of hardware based teaching packages in optics, optoelectronics and optical communications. Each educator kit is fully self-contained, including all of the optoelectronic hardware and comprehensive literature support. This saves the academic tutor considerable development time and enables the kits to be immediately installed in the photonics teaching laboratory to support accompanying lecture courses. A fundamental design objective of our educator kits is to provide students with hands-on practical experience of photonics components, instruments and systems and allow them to investigate essential physical principles and key technical issues relevant to their lecture courses. This paper will outline the design philosophy behind the products to meet the desired educational aims, and then examine the specific educational objectives and topics investigated in each educator kit.