Analysis of some intrinsic limitations of a laser range finder using self-mixing interference

Noel Servagent; Gregory Mourat; Flore Gouaux; Thierry M. Bosch

doi:10.1117/12.316436

6 July 1998 Analysis of some intrinsic limitations of a laser range finder using self-mixing interference

Noel Servagent, Gregory Mourat, Flore Gouaux, Thierry M. Bosch

Proceedings Volume 3479, Laser Interferometry IX: Applications; (1998) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.316436
Event: SPIE's International Symposium on Optical Science, Engineering, and Instrumentation, 1998, San Diego, CA, United States

Abstract

For sensing applications like absolute distance measurement using the self-mixing effect, the laser diode is modulated by a triangular signal in order to produce an excursion of the optical frequency. The optical beam back-scattered by a non- cooperative target into the laser diode active cavity causes strong variations of the optical output power, these variations being counted in order to determine distances. In this paper, some intrinsic limitations of a feedback interferometric absolute distance measurement system are analyzed. The spectral characteristics, the wavelength or the optical power of the laser diode are disturbed by the optical feedback. These changes modify parameters like the coherence length (i.e. the maximum range of the sensor) or the value of the injection current to be modulated. So, laser diodes have to be characterized in terms of spectral linewidth. In the case of strong feedback, the optical power is also disturbed by the hysteresis. The influence of the thermal effects is analyzed and a solution is proposed to improve the accuracy of the sensor.

Citation Download Citation

Noel Servagent, Gregory Mourat, Flore Gouaux, and Thierry M. Bosch "Analysis of some intrinsic limitations of a laser range finder using self-mixing interference", Proc. SPIE 3479, Laser Interferometry IX: Applications, (6 July 1998); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.316436

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