Three-dimensional deformation field measurement with digital speckle correlation.

Digital speckle correlation is based on a detailed analysis of changes in speckle images that are recorded from laser-illuminated rough surfaces. The two in-plane components are obtained by cross-correlation of corresponding subimages, a method also known as digital speckle photography. The local gradient of the hitherto inaccessible out-of-plane component is determined from the characteristic dependence of the speckle correlation on the spatial frequency. A detailed experimental study is carried out to analyze the new technique for systematic and random measuring errors. For moderate decorrelation the accuracy of the out-of-plane measurement is better than lambda/10 and thus comparable with interferometric techniques. Yet the extremely simple and robust optical setup is suited to nondestructive-testing applications in harsh environments. The quality of the deformation maps is demonstrated in a practical application.