Dispersive comb-spectrum interferometer: Metrological characterization

The paper reports results of an investigation on the main measurement uncer tainty sources in a novel distance meter based on dispersive comb-spectrum interferometry. The light source is a commercial laser diode operating at 6 70 nm driven under the threshold condition, and emitting a beam with a comb -shaped spectrum. Sensitivity of the measurement to the operating condition s has been evaluated. Results from an experimental activity aimed at charac terizing the laser and to measure the performance of a prototype implementa tion are also presented. The system is suitable to perform unambiguous noni ncremental distance measurements over a range of 0.8 mm with a total uncert ainty of about 1.5 mu m.