Absolute distance measurement by dispersive interferometry using a femtosecond pulse laser

We describe an interferometric method that enables to measure the optical path delay between two consecutive femtosecond laser pulses by way of dispersive interferometry. This method allows a femtosecond laser to be utilized as a source of performing absolute distance measurements to unprecedented precision over extensive ranges. Our test result demonstrates a non-ambiguity range of similar to 1.46 mm with a resolution of 7 nm over a maximum distance reaching similar to 0.89 m. (c) 2006 Optical Society of America.