A -- METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR LASER CONTROL

Notice Date

June 19, 2001

Contracting Office

Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Acquisition and Logistics Division, 100 Bureau Drive, Building 301, Room B129, Mail Stop 3571, Gaithersburg, MD, 20899-3571

ZIP Code

20899-3571

Description

Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) are working on the following technologies: The disclosure is directed to a method and apparatus for precisely controlling the frequency of a laser, and for precise control of distance. In a disclosed embodiment, a laser beam is split, modulated to obtain a frequency differential, and coupled to an interferometer which is designed to produce two processed beams having intensities that vary at the same ac frequency, but at a phase difference that is indicative of the laser frequency. The processed beams are converted to ac electrical signals which are coupled to phase control circuitry. The phase control circuitry determines the phase between the electrical signals and produces a control signal for controlling the laser frequency. Phase offset increments are introduced in the phase detection process, these phases offset increments resulting in controlled changes in the laser frequency. The laser frequency can be computed and read out as a function of the phase offset increments. In another embodiment, the control signal is used to accurately control a distance. For further information, contact: National Institute of Standards and Technology, Office of Technology Partnerships, 100 Bureau Drive, Stop 2200, Gaithersburg, MD, 20899; This is not an announcement of a contract action or a grant.

Web Link

Visit this URL for the latest information about this (http://www.eps.gov/spg/DOC/NIST/AcAsD/NISTDOCKETNUMBER89-042US/listing.html)

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20010621/SPMSC018.HTM (D-170 SN50P3M6)