Abstract

A scheme is proposed for high-precision, absolute length measurement for an arbitrary optical distance of a few meters to beyond ${10}^6 \mathrm{m}$. The approach utilizes a phase-stabilized femtosecond laser to provide both incoherent, time-of-flight information and coherent, fringe-resolved interferometry. Such a combined measurement capability allows an optical wavelength resolution to be achieved for absolute length measurement over a large dynamic range.

© 2004 Optical Society of America

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