Advanced interferometry using frequency combs

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

This program proposes to develop the instrumentation required to improve the quality of the interference signal obtained when mixing the light produced by two short-pulse (femtosecond) lasers. This is a new measurement paradigm in optical instrumentation, very close to being the sought-after "optical oscilloscope". Measurements traditionally carried with interferometers, gratings, prisms and tunable lasers can now be accomplished much faster, with a better resolution and sensitivity using two short pulse lasers in an instrument having no moving part. Measurement types that can be obtained comprise spectroscopy, reflectometry, tomography and ranging (LIDAR). The quality of the signals currently obtained is however not quite comparable to state-of-the-art conventional instruments and the setups are still bulky and delicate. This program thus intends to use our knowledge in classical interferometry to improve short-pulse laser interferometry, and to demonstrate the improvements through applications in various fields. The potential applications are numerous and include characterization of optical components and telecommunication networks, biomedical imaging, chemical identification, remote sensing for environmental and security monitoring as well as high precision ranging between satellite in constellations.