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Generation and Coherent Control of Pulsed Quantum Frequency Combs
Published on: June 8, 2018
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Fast high-precision distance metrology using a pair of modulator-generated dual-color frequency combs
Optics Express
|January 18, 2019
Summary
This study presents fast, high-precision non-contact distance measurements using dual-color electro-optic frequency combs for synthetic-wavelength interferometry (SWI). The novel method achieves sub-2 µm accuracy, even in industrial settings with fiber optic cables.
Area of Science:
- Optics and Photonics
- Metrology
- Laser Technology
Background:
- Accurate non-contact distance measurement is crucial for industrial applications.
- Traditional interferometry methods face challenges with environmental factors like temperature fluctuations.
- Frequency comb-based metrology offers high precision but can be complex.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a fast and high-precision non-contact distance measurement system.
- To enable dead-zone-free compensation for temperature-induced fiber drift.
- To demonstrate the system's viability in industrial environments.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing a pair of dual-color electro-optic frequency combs for synthetic-wavelength interferometry (SWI).
- Generating dual-color combs from continuous-wave lasers at 1300 nm and 1550 nm.
- Employing high-speed dual-drive Mach-Zehnder modulators for signal generation and processing.
Main Results:
- Achieving standard deviations below 2 µm at an acquisition time of 9.1 µs.
- Demonstrating continuous and dead-zone-free compensation of temperature-induced fiber drift.
- Successfully acquiring surface profiles and point clouds (up to 5 million data points) on an industrial coordinate measuring machine.
Conclusions:
- The demonstrated dual-color frequency comb SWI system offers a technically simple yet highly competitive approach to distance metrology.
- The system maintains accuracy under industrial operating conditions, outperforming other comb-based methods.
- Real-time signal processing and drift compensation enable efficient 3D surface profiling during continuous motion.
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