Real-time displacement measurement immune from atmospheric parameters using optical frequency combs

We propose a direct and real-time displacement measurement using an optical frequency comb, able to compensate optically for index of refraction variations due to atmospheric parameters. This scheme could be useful for applications requiring stringent precision over a long distance in air, a situation where dispersion becomes the main limitation. The key ingredient is the use of a mode-locked laser as a precise source for multi-wavelength interferometry in a homodyne detection scheme. By shaping temporally the local oscillator, one can directly access the desired parameter (distance variation) while being insensitive to fluctuations induced by parameters of the environment such as pressure, temperature, humidity and CO₂ content.The research is supported by ANR project Qualitime, ERC starting grant Frecquam and by the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology, project number CE110001027 (OP)