Correcting movement errors in frequency-sweeping interferometry

• Published in: Optics letters 2005-09, Vol.30 (17), p.2242-2244
• Main Authors: SWINKELS, B. L, BHATTACHARYA, N, BRAAT, J. J. M
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Exact sciences and technology; Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications); Instruments, apparatus, components and techniques common to several branches of physics and astronomy; Interferometers; Laser optical systems: design and operation; Measurements common to several branches of physics and astronomy; Metrology, measurements and laboratory procedures; Modulation, tuning, and mode locking; Optical instruments, equipment and techniques; Optics; Physics; Spatial dimensions (e.g.: position, lengths, volume, angles, displacements, including nanometer-scale displacements); Spatial dimensions (eg, position, lengths, volume, angles, displacements, including nanometer-scale displacements)
• ISSN: 0146-9592; 1539-4794
• DOI: 10.1364/ol.30.002242

Absolute distance measurements can be performed with an interferometric method that uses only a single tunable laser. This method has one major drawback, because a small target movement of the order of one wavelength during a measurement will be interpreted as a movement of one synthetic wavelength. This effect is usually mitigated by adding a second (nonscanning) laser. We show that absolute distance measurements can be performed with only one laser if the movements encountered are smooth, on the time scale of one measurement. In this case the movement errors can be compensated with a simple algorithm that combines several subsequent measurements. First experimental results show good agreement with theory.