Wavelength References for Interferometry in Air

Published

December 12, 2005

Author(s)

Richard W. Fox, Brian R. Washburn, Nathan R. Newbury, Leo W. Hollberg

Abstract

Interferometer sources with multiple known wavelengths can be provided by tunable lasers and calibrated optical reference cavities. The mode wavelengths are known by measuring a laser¿s frequency while locked to the mode in vacuum during a calibration step, and subsequently correcting the mode wavelength for atmospheric pressure compression, temperature difference, and material aging. The residuals after correction indicate a repeatability of ¿ 2 X 10^-8 (3ς), with the wavelength accuracy limited to ¿ 4 X 10^-8 by knowledge of the absolute helium gas temperature during the pressure calibration. Mirror cleaning with anhydrous methanol did not perturb the mode frequency more than our measurement resolution of {Δ}υ/υ ~ 3 X 10^-9, limited by temperature correction residuals.

Citation

Applied Optics

Volume

44

Issue

36

Pub Type

Journals

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Keywords

fabry-perot, interferometry, length metrology, optical cavity

Citation

Fox, R. , Washburn, B. , Newbury, N. and Hollberg, L. (2005), Wavelength References for Interferometry in Air, Applied Optics, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=50116 (Accessed October 27, 2025)