Dual Laser Beam ``Jitter'' Analysis

POSTER

Abstract

This work involves recording, analyzing and characterizing the fringe pattern resulting from overlapping two pulsed laser beams. A stationary fringe pattern is essential in order for our laboratory's experimental work to succeed. The resulting fringe pattern, however, is seen to move erratically and hence introduces experimental complications that we would rather avoid. The work proposes isolating the beams from air currents or from sources of vibration external to the beams as a means of reducing, if not eliminating this fringe movement or ``jitter.'' This work explores those solutions and provides data analysis techniques through a plotting, graphing and analysis software package called IGOR{\textregistered}.

Authors

  • Gregg Anderson

    AFRL/MLPJE, Wright-Patterson AFB

  • Perry Yaney

    Department of Physics, University of Oregon, USAF Research Laboratory, Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, NHMFL, CRIEPI, UCSD, University of Dayton, L-3 Communications Cincinnati Electronics, University of Georgia, Air Force Research Laboratory, Anteon Corporation, California State University-Chico, The Ohio State University, Univ. Akron, Air Force Institute of Technology, Albion College, Albion, MI 49224, Physics Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, Mound Laser \& Photonics Center, Inc., Hitachi Global Storage Technologies, San Jose, CA 95120, University of Dayton Research Institute, University of South Alabama, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Anteon, Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolas de Hidalgo, Morelia, Michoac\'{a}n, Mexico, Department of Chemistry, The University of Akron, Department of Physics, The University of Akron, Physics Department and The Future-Chips Constellation, Renssalaer Polytechnic Institute, Local Co-Chair