Resolution-enhanced heterodyne laser interferometer with differential configuration for roll angle measurement

Area of Science:

• Optical Metrology
• Interferometry
• Precision Measurement

Background:

• Accurate roll angle measurement is crucial in various scientific and industrial applications.
• Environmental noise often limits the resolution of conventional interferometers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose and validate a high-resolution roll measurement heterodyne interferometer.
• To enhance environmental noise immunity and measurement sensitivity.

Main Methods:

• Design of a differential configuration heterodyne interferometer using a pair of measurement beams.
• Establishment of a mathematical model based on Jones' matrix for roll angle measurement.
• Experimental setup construction and performance evaluation.

Main Results:

• Achieved a significant enhancement in sensitivity due to opposite phase shift directions of the two signals.
• Obtained an experimental amplification factor of 270.
• Attained a roll angle resolution of 0.13 arcsec with a phase meter resolution of 0.01°.

Conclusions:

• The proposed heterodyne interferometer demonstrates high resolution and improved noise immunity for roll angle measurements.
• The differential configuration and mathematical model are effective for precision metrology.
• The experimental results validate the design's capability for sensitive angular measurements.