Absolute distance measurement by dispersive interferometry using a femtosecond pulse laser

Abstract

We describe an interferometric method that enables to measure the optical path delay between two consecutive femtosecond laser pulses by way of dispersive interferometry. This method allows a femtosecond laser to be utilized as a source of performing absolute distance measurements to unprecedented precision over extensive ranges. Our test result demonstrates a non-ambiguity range of similar to 1.46 mm with a resolution of 7 nm over a maximum distance reaching similar to 0.89 m. (c) 2006 Optical Society of America.