Interferometric laser-beam characterisation with computed spherical reference wave
Abstract
Abstract For interferometric length, velocity, or acceleration measurements with challenging uncertainty requirements, a contribution which is caused by diffraction, needs to be considered. To assess this contribution it is necessary to characterise the laser beams used for respective interferometers. Here, I review the shortcomings of the commonly used beam characterisation methods and present the proof of principle of an alternative method which utilises interference with a computed reference wave to recover the complex amplitude of a sample beam with at least one order of magnitude increased sensitivity in the low-irradiance tail-regions of a laser beam. It is also shown how the relative length error of a sample beam is obtained from the complex amplitude.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Advanced Measurement and Metrology Techniques
Scientific Measurement and Uncertainty Evaluation
Advanced Frequency and Time Standards
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Measurement Science and Technology
- Publisher
- IOP Publishing
- Volume
- 37
- Issue
- 25
- Pages
- 255202–255202
- Publication date
- 9 June 2026