Transportable distance measurement system based on superheterodyne interferometry using two phase-locked frequency-doubled Nd:YAG lasers

Abstract

We describe a transportable distance measurement system based on synthetic wavelength interferometry. Two frequency-doubled Nd:yttrium aluminum garnet lasers at 532 nm are used to generate a synthetic wavelength of ∼2.5 cm. A nonpolarizing interferometric system has been set up to eliminate polarization cross-talk issue. A superheterodyne detection was performed to measure the synthetic phase and to determine absolute distances. The capability to achieve fringe interpolation of 2π /5600 has been demonstrated and an agreement in distance measurement at the 4 μm level has been achieved, compared to an optical interferometric 3 m long displacement bench. © 2010 American Institute of Physics.