Open AccessActive compensation of large dispersion of femtosecond pulses for precision laser ranging
Author(s) -
SangHyun Lee,
Joohyung Lee,
YoungJin Kim,
Keun-Woo Lee,
Seung-Woo Kim
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.19.004002
Subject(s) - ranging , femtosecond , optics , laser , materials science , dispersion (optics) , femtosecond pulse shaping , lidar , physics , geodesy , geology
We describe an active way of compensation for large dispersion induced in the femtosecond light pulses travelling in air for laser ranging. The pulse duration is consistently regulated at 250 fs by dispersion control, allowing sub-micrometer resolution in measuring long distances by means of time-of-flight measurement. This method could facilitate more reliable applications of femtosecond pulses for satellite laser ranging, laser altimetry and active LIDAR applications.