Simple and Accurate Optical Frequency Domain Ranging Using Off-the-Shelf DFB Lasers Subject to Frequency-Shifted Optical Feedback

It is demonstrated that accurate distance measurement may be effected using a commercially available distributed feedback (DFB) semiconductor laser subject to frequency-shifted optical feedback. A simple experimental arrangement is employed wherein a chirped frequency comb is generated in an external cavity DFB laser using an intracavity acoustic-optic modulator. The frequency comb generates a beat frequency which is proportional to the path difference of a target and reference arm. An estimate of the accuracy and resolution of the measurement is given.