The field backscattered from a remote surface into the laser cavity induces an efficient modulation, both in amplitude and frequency, of the cavity field. The modulating signals are the interferometric components (sin and cos) of object optical path length, which can be recovered by heterodyne detection through a separate reference‐frequency mode. Using a dual polarization Zeeman stabilized He‐Ne laser, a compact self‐aligning interferometer is developed.

1.
T. E.
Honeycutt
 and
W. F.
Otto
,
IEEE J. Quantum Electron.
QE‐8
,
91
(
1972
).
Google Scholar
 
2.
W. M.
Doyle
,
W. D.
Gerber
, and
M. B.
White
,
IEEE J. Quantum Electron.
QE‐3
,
479
(
1967
).
Google Scholar
 
3.
M. J.
Rudd
,
J. Sci. Instrum.
1
,
723
(
1968
).
Google Scholar
Crossref
Search ADS
 
4.
I. L.
Bershtein
,
Izv. Vyssh. Uchebn. Radiofiz.
16
,
526
(
1973
).
Google Scholar
 
5.
M. B.
Spencer
 and
W. E.
Lamb
, Jr.,
Phys. Rev. A
5
,
884
(
1972
).
Google Scholar
Crossref
Search ADS
 
6.
Spectra Physics model 155.
7.
R. H.
Morris
,
J. B.
Ferguson
, and
J. S.
Warniak
,
Appl. Opt.
14
,
2808
(
1975
).
Google Scholar
Crossref
Search ADS
PubMed
 
8.
By a quarter‐wave plate, both modes can be used with improved S/N ratio.
9.
P. R.
Dragsten
,
W. W.
Webb
,
J. A.
Paton
, and
R. R.
Capranica
,
J. Acoust. Soc. Am.
60
,
665
(
1976
).
Google Scholar
Crossref
Search ADS
PubMed
 
10.
B.
Eliasson
 and
F. M.
Mottier
,
J. Opt. Soc. Am.
61
,
559
(
1971
).
Google Scholar
Crossref
Search ADS
 
This content is only available via PDF.
© 1978 American Institute of Physics.
1978
American Institute of Physics
You do not currently have access to this content.