Abstract
We present a technique for the absolute measurement of very low-level scattering. The method is absolute in that it relies on fundamental physics and does not require calibration against standards maintained by the National Institute of Standards. In a bi-directional mode-locked ring laser, a difference in longitudinal mode frequency between the two senses of circulation of the intracavity pulses can be measured as a beat note between the corresponding outputs. A very small amount of light backscattered by a sample (located at the pulse crossing) from one sense of circulation into the other, causes the beat note to vanish. The threshold in mode frequency difference that causes locking is a measure of the scattering amplitude.
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