Absolute Distance Measurement Using Frequency Comb and a Single-Frequency Laser

• Published in: IEEE photonics technology letters Vol. 27; no. 24; pp. 2587 - 2590
• Main Authors: Hanzhong Wu, Fumin Zhang, Fei Meng, Balling, Petr, Jianshuang Li, Liang Pan, Xinghua Qu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York IEEE 15.12.2015; The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE)
• Subjects: Absolute distance measurement; Adjustment; Beat frequencies; Distance measurement; Frequency comb; Frequency measurement; interferometry; Lasers; Measurement by laser beam; Measuring instruments; Optical interferometry; Phase measurement; Phases; Photonics; Repetition; Tunable lasers; Uncertainty; Wavelength measurement; Frequency comb; absolute distance measurement; interferometry
• ISSN: 1041-1135; 1941-0174
• DOI: 10.1109/LPT.2015.2478783

We propose, here, a multi-heterodyne method using frequency comb and a tunable laser for absolute distance measurement. Numerous beat frequency components can be obtained in RF region. The distance can be determined via the phases of the beat signals. We potentially extend the non-ambiguity range up to 105 m by adjusting the comb repetition frequency slightly. The experimental results show an agreement within 4.5 μm, corresponding to a relative precision of 1.5 × 10 -7 in a range up to 30 m, compared with an incremental distance meter.