Error Sources In The "Ring Down" Optical Cavity Decay Time Mirror Reflectometer

Thomas M. Crawford

doi:10.1117/12.976129

20 November 1985 Error Sources In The "Ring Down" Optical Cavity Decay Time Mirror Reflectometer

Thomas M. Crawford

Proceedings Volume 0540, Southwest Conf on Optics '85; (1985) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.976129
Event: 1985 Albuquerque Conferences on Optics, 1985, Albuquerque, United States

Abstract

The "ring down" reflectometer is used to determine mirror reflectances and cavity losses in low loss situations. This is done by measuring the decay time of an optical cavity and relating this decay time to the total loss of the optical cavity. Unfortunately, this reflectometer has several sources of error that may cause problems for the unwary user. Measurement errors may arise from three different sources: (1) not having the source laser and the passive optical cavity tuned to each other properly, (2) having frequency drift in the passive optical cavity, and (3) simultaneously exciting two cavity modes that are close in frequency. In this paper, the theory of the "ring down" reflectometer is developed and analyzed for the purpose of determining its major error sources. The resulting problems are shown and solutions to these problems are suggested.

Citation Download Citation

Thomas M. Crawford "Error Sources In The "Ring Down" Optical Cavity Decay Time Mirror Reflectometer", Proc. SPIE 0540, Southwest Conf on Optics '85, (20 November 1985); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.976129

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available