Low-cost detection of lasers

Abstract

A low-cost method of detecting lasers based on detecting coherence properties of received light is presented. The method uses an unbalanced Mach-Zehnder interferometer with a modulating piezo-mounted mirror in one arm to discriminate against incoherent background light and identify the presence of laser radiation at the nW level against much brighter backgrounds. The wavelength of the coherent input can be determined by comparing the intensities of the modulation frequency harmonics. (c) The Authors.