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Implementation of a Reference Interferometer for Nanodetection
Published on: April 26, 2014
Two-mode interference measurement for nanometer accuracy absolute ranging.
Duy-Ha Phung1, Christophe Alexandre, Michel Lintz
1ARTEMIS, Université de Nice Sophia, Observatoire de la Cote d'Azur, Nice, France.
Optics Letters
|February 6, 2013
Summary
This study presents a novel laser ranging technique achieving subnanometer precision. It combines interferometric and time-of-flight measurements for highly accurate distance determination.
Area of Science:
- Optics and Photonics
- Metrology
- Laser Technology
Background:
- Accurate distance measurement is crucial in various scientific and industrial applications.
- Existing laser ranging methods face limitations in precision and accuracy over certain distances.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate a laser ranging scheme capable of achieving subnanometer precision.
- To develop a method for extracting absolute distance from a two-mode interference signal.
- To validate the technique's accuracy despite environmental and instrumental phase drifts.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing a high-frequency modulated laser beam.
- Combining interferometric and time-of-flight measurement principles.
- Analyzing a two-mode interference signal with optical and synthetic wavelength scales.
Main Results:
- Achieved subnanometer precision in laser ranging.
- Demonstrated nanometer-scale accuracy in distance extraction.
- Successfully implemented and tested a 4-meter range telemeter with folded beam path.
Conclusions:
- The proposed laser ranging scheme offers unprecedented precision and accuracy.
- The combined measurement approach effectively mitigates phase drift issues.
- This technique has potential applications in high-precision metrology and instrumentation.

