Evaluation of thermal expansion coefficient of Fabry-Perot cavity using an optical frequency comb

Jindřich Oulehla; Radek Šmíd; Zdeněk Buchta; Martin Čížek; Břetislav Mikel; Petr Jedlička; Josef Lazar; Ondřej Číp

doi:10.1117/12.889810

27 May 2011 Evaluation of thermal expansion coefficient of Fabry-Perot cavity using an optical frequency comb

Jindřich Oulehla, Radek Šmíd, Zdeněk Buchta, Martin Čížek, Břetislav Mikel, Petr Jedlička, Josef Lazar, Ondřej Číp

Proceedings Volume 8082, Optical Measurement Systems for Industrial Inspection VII; 80823Q (2011) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.889810
Event: SPIE Optical Metrology, 2011, Munich, Germany

Abstract

In construction of highly mechanically stable measuring devices like AFM microscopes or nano-comparators the use of low expansion materials is very necessary. We can find Zerodur ceramics or ULE glasses used as a frame or basement of these devices. The expansion coefficient of such low-expansion materials is lower than 0.01 x 10^-6 m•K^-1. For example in case of a frame or basement 20 cm long it leads to a dilatation approximately 4 nm per 1 K. For calculation of the total uncertainty of the mentioned measuring devices the knowledge of the thermal expansion coefficient of the frame or basement is necessary. In this work we present a method, where small distance changes are transformed into rf-frequency signal. The frequency of this signal is detected by a counter which measures the value of the frequency with respect to an ultra-stable time-base. This method uses a Fabry-Perot cavity as a distance measuring tool. The spacer of the optical resonator is made from the investigated low-expansion material. It is placed into a vacuum chamber where the inside temperature is controlled. A selected mode of the femtosecond frequency of the femtosecond comb which represent the distance changes of the optical resonator. The frequency is measured by the rf-counter which is synchronized by a time-base signal from an atomic clock. The first results show the resolution of the method in the 0.1 nm order. Therefore the method has a potential in characterisation of materials in the nanoworld.

Citation Download Citation

Jindřich Oulehla, Radek Šmíd, Zdeněk Buchta, Martin Čížek, Břetislav Mikel, Petr Jedlička, Josef Lazar, and Ondřej Číp "Evaluation of thermal expansion coefficient of Fabry-Perot cavity using an optical frequency comb", Proc. SPIE 8082, Optical Measurement Systems for Industrial Inspection VII, 80823Q (27 May 2011); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.889810

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