Analysis and Design of a New Phase-Modulated Michelson Interferometer.

Abstract

A new interferometer signal processing system has been designed, analyzed, constructed, and tested. It is based on phase modulation of the interferometer followed electronically by quadrature mixing and frequency-modulated (FM)-type detection. As a result, the system is entirely independent of direct current (dc) or polarization effects, and only one photodetector is required to provide directional information. The output is digital and analog. The range of the unit with two 8-bit counters is presently + or - 64 lambda; however, more counters could be combined to provide a total delta L to the beam coherence length. The unit will detect signals to 30 kHz. Resolution through fringe interpolation is possible to + or - lambda/95 at present, which can be improved with electronic modifications. Phase sensitivity is much greater, with about 3-microvolt signal per angstrom of length change. (Author)

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 18, 1981
Accession Number
ADA112238

Entities

People

  • E. G. Wolff
  • R. C. Savedra
  • S. A. Eselun

Organizations

  • The Aerospace Corporation

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Sensors
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Amplifiers
  • Birds
  • Composite Materials
  • Detection
  • Detectors
  • Direct Current
  • Frequency
  • Lasers
  • Materials
  • Materials Science
  • Measurement
  • Michelson Interferometers
  • Modulation
  • Phase Modulation
  • Photodetectors
  • Physics Laboratories
  • Signal Processing

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Radar Systems Engineering.
  • Radio communications and signal processing.
  • Spectroscopy.

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics
  • Microelectronics - Microelectromechanical Systems