Microchip Laser Feedback Interferometer with an Optical Path Multiplier

Abstract

We present a microchip laser feedback interferometer with an optical path multiplier to enhance the resolution of traditional laser feedback interferometers (LFI). The optical path multiplier has a unique device, i.e. diffusive reflector. As class B microchip lasers have extremely high sensitivity to laser feedback, the diffusive reflector can easily reflect or diffuse back the laser beam without much manual adjustment to the optical system, which ensures the system's easy-adjustment and practical feature. The optical path multiplier is a two-mirror system which enables the laser beam to reflect between the two mirrors by N times. When the target shifts a distance of Δd, the variation of the optical path will be about (AN × Δd). Thus the system's resolution is about 4N times as high as the traditional LFI. Under typical room conditions, the optical path multiplier can effectively enhance the system's resolution by more than 26 times as high as a traditional LFI system and even to the level of 0.1 nm.