Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 30, 2026

Implementation of a Reference Interferometer for Nanodetection
Published on: April 26, 2014
Experimental comparison of autodyne and heterodyne laser interferometry using an Nd:YVO₄ microchip laser
Olivier Jacquin1, Eric Lacot, Wilfried Glastre
1Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique/Université de Grenoble 1, Laboratoire Interdisciplinaire de Physique, UMR 5588, Grenoble F-38041, France.
Abstract:
Using an Nd:YVO₄ microchip laser with a relaxation frequency in the megahertz range, we have experimentally compared a heterodyne interferometer based on a Michelson configuration with an autodyne interferometer based on the laser optical feedback imaging (LOFI) method regarding their signal-to-noise ratios. In the heterodyne configuration, the beating between the reference beam and the signal beam is realized outside the laser cavity, while in the autodyne configuration, the wave beating takes place inside the laser cavity, and the relaxation oscillations of the laser intensity then play an important part. For a given laser output power, object under investigation, and detection noise level, we have determined the amplification gain of the LOFI interferometer compared to the heterodyne interferometer. LOFI interferometry is demonstrated to show higher performance than heterodyne interferometry for a wide range of laser powers and detection levels of noise. The experimental results are in good agreement with the theoretical predictions.
More Related Videos
12:14The Generation of Higher-order Laguerre-Gauss Optical Beams for High-precision Interferometry
Published on: August 12, 2013
12:54Implementation of a Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Scattering (CARS) System on a Ti:Sapphire and OPO Laser Based Standard Laser Scanning Microscope
Published on: July 17, 2016
Related Concept Videos
Phase Contrast and Differential Interference Contrast Microscopy
In-phase-contrast microscopes, interference between light directly passing through a cell and light refracted by cellular components is used to create high-contrast, high-resolution images without staining. It is the oldest and simplest type of microscope that creates an image by altering the wavelengths of light rays passing through the specimen. Altered wavelength paths are created using an annular stop in the condenser. The annular stop produces a hollow cone of...
Imaging Biological Samples with Optical Microscopy
In optical microscopy, the specimen to be viewed is placed on a glass slide and clipped on the stage...
Confocal Fluorescence Microscopy
Electronic Distance Measuring Instruments
Overview of Microscopy Techniques
Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence Microscopy