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Related Concept Videos

Electronic Distance Measuring Instruments01:30

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Electronic Distance Measuring Instruments (EDMs) are essential tools in modern surveying, offering precise distance measurements by emitting electromagnetic signals and calculating the time required for these signals to travel to a target and return. Two primary types of signals are used in EDMs — light waves and microwaves — each suited to specific environmental and distance requirements. Light-wave-based EDMs utilize either infrared or laser light, providing high accuracy over short distances...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 19, 2026

Generation and Coherent Control of Pulsed Quantum Frequency Combs
06:42

Generation and Coherent Control of Pulsed Quantum Frequency Combs

Published on: June 8, 2018

Frequency-comb-referenced two-wavelength source for absolute distance measurement.

Nicolas Schuhler1, Yves Salvadé, Samuel Lévêque

  • 1Laboratoire des Systèmes Photoniques, Boulevard Sébastien Brant, BP 10413, 67400 Illkirch, France.

Optics Letters
|October 17, 2006
PubMed
Summary

We developed a tunable laser source for multiple-wavelength interferometry, enabling precise synthetic wavelength generation for nanometer-accuracy distance measurements. This innovation offers a broad selection of wavelengths with exceptional relative uncertainty.

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Area of Science:

  • Optics and Photonics
  • Metrology

Background:

  • Multiple-wavelength interferometry requires precise control over synthetic wavelengths.
  • Existing methods have limitations in the range and accuracy of achievable synthetic wavelengths.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To introduce a novel tunable laser source concept for multiple-wavelength interferometry.
  • To achieve a wide selection of synthetic wavelengths with high relative uncertainty.
  • To demonstrate nanometer-accuracy absolute distance measurement capabilities.

Main Methods:

  • Frequency stabilization of two lasers using a frequency comb from a mode-locked fiber laser.
  • Generation and calibration of a synthetic wavelength.

Main Results:

  • An unprecedented large choice of synthetic wavelengths with relative uncertainty better than 10⁻¹¹ in vacuum.
  • Experimental demonstration of a 90 µm synthetic wavelength.
  • Calibration accuracy of the synthetic wavelength better than 0.2 parts in 10⁶.

Conclusions:

  • The proposed tunable laser source significantly enhances capabilities in multiple-wavelength interferometry.
  • The ability to resolve one optical wavelength using the generated synthetic wavelength enables nanometer-accuracy absolute distance measurements.