Welcome to the new version of CaltechAUTHORS. Login is currently restricted to library staff. If you notice any issues, please email coda@library.caltech.edu
Published April 15, 1984 | public
Journal Article Open

Mirror reflectometer based on optical cavity decay time

Abstract

Described is a reflectometer capable of making reflectivity measurements of low-loss highly reflecting mirror coatings and transmission measurements of low-loss antireflection coatings. The technique directly measures the intensity decay time of an optical cavity comprised of low-loss elements. We develop the theoretical framework for the device and discuss in what conditions and to what extent the decay time represents a true measure of mirror reflectivity. Current apparatus provides a decay time resolution of 10 nsec and has demonstrated a cavity total loss resolution of 5 ppm.

Additional Information

© 1984 Optical Society of America. Received 13 January 1983. We owe special thanks to R. W. P. Drever for his encouragement and insight. We would also like to thank R. E. Spero, S. E. Whitcomb, and M. Hereld for valuable advice and assitance. We are indebted to T. Hutchings and S. W. Hammons of Litton Industries, Guidance & Control Systems Division, for providing us with the low-loss (180-ppm) mirror coatings and to S. S. M. Lu and R. Hargrove of Litton for the production of the coatings. The work of D. Z. Anderson was supported by NSF grant PHY82 04056.

Files

ANDao84b.pdf
Files (1.3 MB)
Name Size Download all
md5:eb36ccc2ec878b837fc78bcd0537296c
1.3 MB Preview Download

Additional details

Created:
August 22, 2023
Modified:
October 13, 2023