Detection of interference phase by digital computation of quadrature signals in homodyne laser interferometry

Sensors (Basel). 2012 Oct 19;12(10):14095-112. doi: 10.3390/s121014095.

Abstract

We have proposed an approach to the interference phase extraction in the homodyne laser interferometry. The method employs a series of computational steps to reconstruct the signals for quadrature detection from an interference signal from a non-polarising interferometer sampled by a simple photodetector. The complexity trade-off is the use of laser beam with frequency modulation capability. It is analytically derived and its validity and performance is experimentally verified. The method has proven to be a feasible alternative for the traditional homodyne detection since it performs with comparable accuracy, especially where the optical setup complexity is principal issue and the modulation of laser beam is not a heavy burden (e.g., in multi-axis sensor or laser diode based systems).

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't