Advanced interferometry using frequency combs

该计划建议开发所需的仪器，以改善在混合两个短脉冲(飞秒)激光产生的光时所获得的干涉信号的质量。这是光学仪器中的一种新的测量范式，非常接近于人们追捧的“光学示波器”。传统上使用干涉仪、光栅、棱镜和可调谐激光进行测量，现在可以更快地完成测量，在没有移动部件的仪器中使用两个短脉冲激光可以获得更好的分辨率和灵敏度。可获得的测量类型包括光谱分析、反射测量、层析成像和测距(LIDAR)。然而，目前获得的信号质量无法与最先进的传统仪器相提并论，而且安装仍然笨重而精细。因此，本程序旨在利用我们在经典干涉测量中的知识来改进短脉冲激光干涉测量，并通过在各个领域的应用来展示改进的效果。潜在的应用有很多，包括光学部件和电信网络的特性、生物医学成像、化学识别、用于环境和安全监测的遥感以及星座中卫星之间的高精度测距。

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.