Time-of-flight telemeter based on a ring-laser
TLDR
In this paper, the authors proposed a new telemeter scheme for absolute distance measurements, based on a semiconductor ring laser, working in the bistability regime, which combines time-of-flight and optical injection, is very simple to implement, since, in addition to the laser, it only requires mirrors and collimation or focusing optics.Abstract:
We propose a new telemeter scheme for absolute distance measurements, based on a semiconductor ring laser, working in the bistability regime. The optical feedback provided by two external reflectors (a fixed one at short distance, and a moveable one defining the measuring arm) generates commutations of the propagation direction (clockwise, counter-clockwise) inside the ring laser, the period of which is linearly related to the distance of the measure arm reflector. A convenient electrical output signal can be easily obtained by a photodiode located behind the (partially reflecting) fixed mirror. This telemeter, which combines time-of-flight and optical injection, is very simple to implement, since, in addition to the laser, it only requires mirrors and collimation or focusing optics. Also electronic driving and processing are straightforward. Differently from most time-of-flight telemeters, this scheme does not require special provisions or processing to tackle the ambiguity problem. Simulations are performed by mathematical models based on rate-equations. This telemeter has been evaluated in the range 10 cm–32 m of round trip distance, with a fixed arm of 10 μm–10 cm, assuming typical literature parameters for a 1 mW ring laser.read more
Citations
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Journal ArticleDOI
Distance measurement by delayed optical feedback in a ring laser
TL;DR: In this paper , the behavior of a semiconductor ring laser subject to bidirectional delayed optical feedback is studied, where the laser switching period is linearly related to the time of flight from the laser to one or both reflectors.
References
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External optical feedback effects on semiconductor injection laser properties
R. Lang,Kohroh Kobayashi +1 more
TL;DR: In this paper, the effects of external optical feedback on the semiconductor laser properties have been examined, i.e., return of a portion of the laser output from a reflector external to the laser cavity.
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Laser diode feedback interferometer for measurement of displacements without ambiguity
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Garry Berkovic,Ehud Shafir +1 more
TL;DR: In this paper, various noncontact optical sensing techniques that can be used to measure distances to objects, and related parameters such as displacements, surface profiles, velocities and vibrations are discussed and compared.
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Unidirectional bistability in semiconductor waveguide ring lasers
TL;DR: In this paper, a large diameter ridge-guided semiconductor laser weakly coupled to a straight output waveguide showed unidirectional operation and directional bistability at currents up to about twice the threshold.
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Alternate oscillations in semiconductor ring lasers
Marc Sorel,P.J.R. Laybourn,Alessandro Scirè,Salvador Balle,Guido Giuliani,R. Miglierina,Silvano Donati +6 more
TL;DR: A bifurcation from bidirectional stable operation to a regime with alternate oscillations of the counterpropagating modes was observed experimentally and is theoretically explained through a two-mode model.
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