Full-circle range and microradian resolution angle measurement using the orthogonal mirror self-mixing interferometry

Area of Science:

• Optics and Photonics
• Metrology and Measurement Science
• Mechanical Engineering

Background:

• Traditional angle sensing methods using reflecting mirrors face limitations in measurement range and resolution.
• Existing techniques struggle to provide high accuracy over a full circle (0 to 2π radians).

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel angle measurement system overcoming the limitations of traditional methods.
• To achieve microradian resolution and a full-circle measurement range for angle sensing.

Main Methods:

• Implementation of orthogonal mirror self-mixing interferometry.
• Integration of a specifically designed mechanical linkage with the orthogonal mirror setup.

Main Results:

• The developed system enables angle measurement with microradian resolution.
• Achieved a full-circle measurement range from 0 to 2π radians.
• Experimental results show a measurement resolution of 5.27 µrad and an absolute error as low as ± 0.011 µrad.

Conclusions:

• The orthogonal mirror self-mixing interferometry system effectively overcomes traditional angle measurement shortcomings.
• The system satisfies high-accuracy angle measurement requirements for various applications.
• This technique offers a robust solution for precise, full-circle angle sensing.