Complete characterization of periodic optical sources using sampled test+reference Fourier-transform spectroscopy
01 January 2005
A test+reference interferometric technique measuring the time- dependent electric field of a periodic optical source is presented. Samples of the interference between the source under test and a reference source of short optical pulses are measured and processed to yield the amplitude and phase of the electric field of the source. Compared to other test+reference techniques such as spectral interferometry and Fourier-transform spectroscopy, the technique is easily applicable when the signal under test and reference signal do not originate from the same source. It is highly sensitive and allows the cancellation of non-periodic variation of the electric field of the source under test, therefore extracting the electric field of a coherent signal in amplified spontaneous emission.