Diode-laser-based high-precision absolute distance interferometer of 20 m range

Abstract

We present a hybrid absolute distance measurement method that is based on a combination of frequency sweeping, variable synthetic, and two-wavelength, fixed synthetic wavelength interferometry. Both experiments were realized by two external cavity diode lasers. The measurement uncertainty was experimentally and theoretically demonstrated to be smaller than 12 microm at a measurement distance of 20 m.