Measurement of relative velocity of independent targets by a quantum cascade laser subject to optical feedback

A novel application of the feedback interferometry in quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) to directly measure the relative velocity of multiple coaxial targets, is proposed. QCLs with optical feedback make extremely compact sensors since they work as both a mixer oscillator and a shot-noise limited quantu...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published inIEEE SENSORS 2014 Proceedings pp. 758 - 761
Main Authors Mezzapesa, F. P., Columbo, L. L., Brambilla, M., Dabbicco, M., Spagnolo, V., Scamarcio, G.
Format Conference Proceeding
LanguageEnglish
Published IEEE 01.11.2014
Subjects
Cavity resonators
Interferometry
Laser feedback
Laser sensor
Nonlinear wave mixing
Optical feedback
Optical interferometry
Optical Sensing & Sensors
Optical sensors
quantum cascade
Quantum cascade lasers
Semiconductor lasers
Online AccessGet full text

Cover

More Information
Summary:A novel application of the feedback interferometry in quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) to directly measure the relative velocity of multiple coaxial targets, is proposed. QCLs with optical feedback make extremely compact sensors since they work as both a mixer oscillator and a shot-noise limited quantum detector, thus generating and sensing infrared radiation. In addition, the intrinsic stability of QCLs under strong optical re-injection is exploited here to access the nonlinearity of the QCL active medium. We demonstrate that the cumulative optical reflection from independent semi-transparent targets causes the interferometric signal to exhibit high contrast fringes as a function of the targets displacement along the optical axis. The experimental results using an external dual cavity are in excellent agreement with the simulations based on a Lang-Kobayashi model encompassing multiple target dynamics.
ISSN:1930-0395
2168-9229
DOI:10.1109/ICSENS.2014.6985110