Developing self‐mixing interferometry for instrumentation and measurements

Abstract In this review, self‐mixing interferometry (SMI), a new configuration of interferometry, is discussed. SMI has practical advantages compared to standard interferometry, for example SMI does not require any optical part external to the laser chip and can be employed in a variety of measurements. Applications range from the traditional measurements related to optical pathlength – like displacement, small‐amplitude vibrations, velocity – to sensing of weak optical echoes – for return loss and isolation factor measurements, CD readout and scroll sensing – and also, a special feature because of the interaction with the medium, measurements of physical parameters, like the laser linewidth, coherence length, and the alfa factor. Because it is also a coherent detection scheme, the SMI works close to the quantum limit of the received field, typically ‐90 dBm, so that minimum detectable amplitudes of 100 pm/ √Hz are currently achieved upon operation on diffusive targets, whereas a corner cube allows half‐wavelength counting mode – or 0.5 μm resolution – on a dynamic range up to 2 m and more. With its compact setup, the SMI is easy to deploy in the field and can interface a variety of experiments – from MEMS testing to rotating machines vibration testing to pickup of biological motility. The illustration shows a double‐channel, differential SMI incorporated in a thermomechanical test equipment to trace the mechanical hysteresis cycle of the beads of a motor‐engine brake.