Robust and rapid optical low-coherence reflectometer using a polygon mirror

• Published in: Optics communications Vol. 162; no. 4; pp. 195 - 199
• Main Authors: Delachenal, N, Wälti, R, Gianotti, R, Christov, S, Wagner, P, Salathé, R.P, Dürr, U, Ulbers, G
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 15-04-1999; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Exact sciences and technology; Instruments, apparatus, components and techniques common to several branches of physics and astronomy; Optical delay lines; Optical instruments, equipment and techniques; Optical low-coherence reflectometry (OLCR); Physics; Polygon mirrors; Refractometers and reflectometers; Optical delay lines; 42.81.Pa; Optical low-coherence reflectometry (OLCR); Polygon mirrors; Experimental study; Mirrors; Reflectometers; Polygonal shape
• ISSN: 0030-4018; 1873-0310
• DOI: 10.1016/S0030-4018(99)00093-0

A robust delay line comprising a rotated polygon mirror and a fixed glass parallelepiped is incorporated in an optical low-coherence reflectometer. A high degree of scalability of scan repetitiveness and scan range is obtained by producing the scan rate and scan range by means of a moving and a fixed element. The reflectometer is operated at a scan repetition rate and a scan speed of 2.58 kHz and 37 m/s, respectively.