Search Results (266)

Accurate nanoscale displacement readout is essential for optical inertial sensors, precision positioning, and micro-vibration characterization. In this work, we develop a free-space optical heterodyne interferometric readout system for low-frequency nanoscale displacement sensing and establish an SNR-guided adaptive demodulation framework. Two complementary demodulation strategies are integrated: Bessel-function-based frequency-domain sideband extraction for small-amplitude low-SNR motion and IQ quadrature phase tracking for larger-amplitude displacement. The experimentally demonstrated framework maps the applicability regimes of the two methods and enables wavelength-referenced displacement readout over a range from sub-nanometer narrowband detection to 250 nm under the present experimental conditions. The implemented system achieves a repeated-measurement repeatability of 0.40 nm under a 10 Hz excitation condition, and spectral SNR analysis is consistent with time-domain statistical evaluation. Finally, the readout system is applied to a quartz pendulum inertial structure, demonstrating its potential for photonic displacement sensing and optical inertial sensor characterization. Full article

Point diffraction interferometers (PDIs) utilize a near-ideal spherical wavefront generated by point diffraction as the reference, providing a high-quality measurement benchmark independent of reference surface quality. In this work, a compact dual-oblique-fiber heterodyne phase-shifting point diffraction interferometer (DOF-HPSPDI) is proposed. A dual-oblique-fiber point diffraction wavefront generator (DOF-PDWG) is designed to generate the reference and measurement beams separately. The proposed configuration enables efficient utilization of the divergence of the fiber-generated diffracted wavefront, while the reflective structure at the fiber end faces allows the two beams to propagate along a common path. In addition, the close spacing between the two oblique fibers minimizes system errors. Heterodyne phase-shifting interferometry (HPSI) is employed to retrieve the wavefront phase from the interferograms. Theoretical system errors are analyzed through simulations, and experiments verify the feasibility and stability of the proposed system. This work provides a low-cost, compact, and highly stable point diffraction interferometer, offering a promising device for high-precision optical testing and sub-aperture stitching of large-aperture optical components. Full article

Diamond nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers are regarded as promising microwave sensors owing to their excellent magnetic sensitivity, stability, and environmental compatibility. However, traditional confocal test platforms based on diamond NV centers are bulky, which limits their practical applications. In this paper, a fiber-coupled compact NV microwave magnetometer is designed that employs the continuous heterodyne measurement method and a fast Fourier transform to measure multiple microwave fields. We integrated the laser excitation module, microwave antenna module, and fluorescence collection module into a single unit, reducing the volume of the magnetometer to 13 cubic centimeters. By adjusting the frequency and power of the measured microwave signals, the applicability of the device under different frequency and power conditions was verified. Experimental tests show that the microwave magnetometer can simultaneously detect multiple microwave fields with different frequencies and power levels, achieving a frequency resolution on the order of millihertz (mHz) and a microwave detection sensitivity of 0.385 nT/Hz^1/2. These results demonstrate the magnetometer’s multi-microwave-field measurement capability, making it highly promising for applications such as microwave anomaly localization and medical diagnosis. Full article

To meet the demand for high-capacity indoor wireless access in future 6G systems, we propose and experimentally demonstrate a photonics-aided D-band wireless transmission scheme operating at 138 GHz. At the transmitter, two external-cavity lasers together with an I/Q modulator are used to generate a modulated D-band carrier. At the receiver, homodyne down-conversion is employed to directly recover the received signal to baseband, thereby relaxing the requirements on ultra-wideband analog components and high-speed sampling hardware. A 20 m indoor line-of-sight wireless link is established to transmit a 56-Gbaud-rate OFDM-QPSK signal. The transmitted and received spectra, received constellations and bit-error-rate (BER) performance are functions of optical power at different symbol rates, and the channel amplitude and phase responses are systematically analyzed. The results show that broadband D-band signal generation, transmission, and recovery can be stably achieved in the proposed system. After receiver-side digital signal processing (DSP), clear QPSK constellations are obtained. BER measurements reveal an optimal optical-power operating range, and the 32-GBaud OFDM signal outperforms the 56-Gbaud-rate signal because its narrower occupied bandwidth makes it less sensitive to frequency-selective distortion. For 56-Gbaud-rate OFDM transmission, the BER approaches the 20% low-density parity-check forward-error-correction threshold at an optical power of approximately −1 dBm. Further analysis indicates that the current link performance is mainly limited by frequency-selective amplitude and phase distortions under bandwidth-constrained conditions, together with slight nonlinear effects at high power. These results verify the feasibility of a photonics-aided D-band wireless architecture with homodyne reception for medium-range, high-symbol-rate indoor transmission and provide an experimental basis for future 6G sub-THz wireless links. Full article

This paper presents a comprehensive investigation of the impact of I/Q (In-phase/Quadrature) imbalance on the performance of a six-port receiver operating in the millimeter-wave band, specifically in the 60–65 GHz frequency range. Unlike traditional heterodyne architectures, the six-port junction offers a low-cost and low-power alternative for direct conversion; however, it is highly sensitive to hardware imperfections. This study demonstrates that manufacturing tolerances in passive components, such as 90° hybrid couplers and power dividers, introduce significant amplitude and phase disparities. These imbalances geometrically distort the ideal QPSK constellation, transforming the circular decision boundaries into an elliptical profile. The research methodology employs a robust co-simulation approach in Advanced Design System (ADS), integrating measured S-parameters with mathematical analysis to quantify signal degradation. Performance is evaluated using the Error Vector Magnitude (EVM) metric. The experimental findings reveal that even at the higher end of the spectrum (65 GHz), where the amplitude imbalance reaches 0.7 dB and the phase error is approximately 5°, the six-port QPSK receiver maintains an EVM of 8.7%. This result is comfortably below the 17.5% limit mandated by modern wireless communication standards, such as LTE and 5G. These results confirm the architectural resilience of the six-port receiver, validating its effectiveness as a reliable solution for high-speed, short-range data transmission in future ultra-wideband telecommunication infrastructures. Full article

Although laser heterodyne interferometric sensing systems offer exceptional theoretical resolution, practical precision is constrained by intractable nonlinear errors stemming from optical imperfections. Conventional compensation methods suffer from hardware dependency, complexity, and performance degradation under low signal-to-noise ratios (SNR). To address this, we propose a precision calibration method using a self-supervised Physics-Informed Neural Network (PINN) guided by frequency-domain priors with harmonic distribution characteristics. This approach establishes a robust compensation model by inverting equivalent parameter sets and error curves in a single step. Specifically, leveraging high-precision displacement references, the method extracts measurement residuals containing periodic physical features. Subsequently, it integrates frequency-domain priors into a physically constrained network architecture: theoretical frequency characteristics construct masks to generate high-confidence pseudo-labels, while the error equation is recast as a differentiable physical layer imposing explicit hard constraints during forward propagation. This mechanism enables precise identification of the system’s nonlinear physical properties against high background noise. Experimental results show that the root-mean-square (RMS) value of the nonlinear error was reduced from 1.90 nm to 0.23 nm, with a compensation rate reaching up to 88.13%. This method provides a reliable framework for the intelligent calibration and error self-characterization of heterodyne interferometric industrial sensors in the field of precision metrology sensors. Full article

Anti-collision detection technologies primarily rely on optical, radar, or laser sensors; however, their performance often deteriorates severely under adverse weather conditions (e.g., rain, snow, fog) or in scenarios involving visual occlusion. By contrast, magnetic anomaly detection leverages perturbations in the geomagnetic field induced by target objects (e.g., vehicles, metallic obstacles), exhibiting intrinsic all-weather operability and strong anti-interference capability. Nevertheless, conventional magnetic anomaly detection methods suffer from the limited applicability of the magnetic dipole model, which only affords coarse positioning accuracy and is predominantly suited for long-range targets. To address this limitation, this paper proposes an Extended N-th-Pole Magnetic Dipole (E-NMD) model that improves accuracy by analyzing the Lagrangian cosine term and rigorously constraining truncation errors under specific operational conditions. Experimental results demonstrate that, for steel with a relative permeability of 200, the model achieves a fitting variance of 99.87%. Furthermore, to overcome the inversion difficulties arising when the strength of short-range magnetic anomalies is comparable to sensor noise, an Adaptive Iterative Extended Kalman Filter (AI-EKF) is developed to enable robust noise suppression and precise distance estimation. Results indicate that E-NMD outperforms the traditional N-th-Pole Magnetic Dipole (NMD) model in proximal state estimation, achieving a 39.62% reduction in Root Mean Square Error (RMSE). Finally, in light of parameter uncertainty in magnetic anomaly targets under real-world conditions, a Dual-Mode Pairwise Iterative Extended Kalman Filter (DI-EKF) is introduced to jointly estimate parameters and system states, yielding an 89% reduction in RMSE compared to AI-EKF. Full article

Continuous-Variable Quantum Key Distribution (CV-QKD) offers practical advantages for secure communication, but laser linewidth-induced phase noise remains a critical performance limitation. This work presents a comprehensive simulation-based analysis quantifying the impact of laser linewidth on secret key rate (SKR) in Gaussian-modulated coherent-state CV-QKD systems. We develop a detailed noise model incorporating detector electronics, Raman scattering, phase recovery, ADC quantization, and laser relative intensity noise. Through systematic parameter sweeps spanning linewidths from 10 Hz to 250 kHz, modulation variances from 1 to 20 SNU, and fiber distances up to 100 km, we identify three distinct operational regimes and optimization strategies for both transmitted local oscillator (TLO) and local–local oscillator (LLO) configurations under homodyne and heterodyne detection. Results show that metropolitan-scale links (50 km) require linewidths below 5 kHz to maintain secure operation, with performance decreasing beyond 25 kHz. We demonstrate that modulation variance must be jointly optimized with laser quality, with optimal values decreasing from 3–4 SNU at narrow linewidths to 2–2.5 SNU at moderate linewidths. The analysis reveals asymmetric sensitivity in LLO systems where local oscillator linewidth degrades performance more strongly than signal laser linewidth. These quantitative findings provide practical design guidelines for achieving secure CV-QKD operation over metropolitan distances with realistic hardware constraints, supporting deployment of defense-grade quantum communication networks. Full article

Dual-frequency lasers with narrow linewidth and high coherence serve as essential light sources for systems such as heterodyne detection, LiDAR, and precision interferometry. However, existing technologies cannot directly separate the two frequency components at MHz-scale differences, which remains a persistent bottleneck in this field. In this paper, we present a dual-frequency fiber laser based on a bidirectional dual-path ring cavity. The proposed laser supports flexible switching between single-frequency and dual-frequency operation while allowing straightforward physical separation of the two outputs via intrinsic beam routing. In single-frequency mode, the two beams exhibit Lorentzian linewidths of 1.1 kHz and 1.16 kHz, respectively. In dual-frequency operation, the laser produces a beat signal at 470 MHz with a 3-dB linewidth of 340.2 Hz and a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) exceeding 70 dB. This dual-frequency fiber laser provides a novel and practical source for heterodyne detection and LiDAR-based measurement systems. Full article

A robust and cost-effective fiber-optic ultrasound sensor based on a slope-symmetric Fabry–Perot interferometer (FPI) is presented, employing dual-channel quadrature-biased heterodyne interrogation with an acousto-optic modulator (AOM). By introducing a 200 MHz frequency shift that yields an effective π/2 phase offset between the direct (unshifted) and frequency-shifted optical paths, the system ensures complementary sensitivity: when one channel operates at zero slope on the FPI transfer function (minimum sensitivity), the other resides at maximum slope, providing inherent immunity to laser wavelength drift and environmental perturbations. Experimental validation demonstrates reliable ultrasound detection across varying operating points. At quadrature extremes, one channel achieves peak amplitudes of ±2 V while the other is quiescent, whereas intermediate points enable simultaneous detection with amplitudes of ±1.5 V (AOM channel) and ±0.05–0.1 V (direct channel), accompanied by corresponding DC levels ranging from ~0.4 V to 1.6 V. The AOM channel utilizes simple envelope detection after 9.5–11.5 MHz bandpass filtering, maintaining low cost, though coherent mixing is suggested for enhanced weak-signal performance. The angle-symmetric FPI design, combined with gold-disk reflector adaptations and potential femtosecond laser micromachining, further reduces fabrication costs without sacrificing finesse or sensitivity. This quadrature-biased approach offers superior stability compared to single-channel systems, making it highly suitable for practical applications in photoacoustic imaging, nondestructive testing, and structural health monitoring. Full article

The spatial response of rectangular pulse heterodyne phase-sensitive optical time-domain reflectometry ($\varphi$-OTDR) to an acoustic event is characterized by a windowing function rather than a point-like sensitivity. This effect degrades the system’s spatial resolution and introduces systematic errors in array signal processing. This work presents modeling analysis and a mitigation strategy for this fundamental limitation. The spatial windowing effect is modeled as a point spread function (PSF) derived from physical mechanisms and system parameters, including the pulse width, gauge length, and intra-pulse intensity dynamics. The PSF model is validated against measurements under near-ideal conditions using a fiber-coupled tuning fork. A Wiener filter-based deconvolution method is utilized to invert the windowed spatial response towards a point-like response. The effectiveness of this inversion is demonstrated through enhanced spatial resolution and accurate reconstruction of two-dimensional wavefront geometry. Furthermore, the impact of this effect on array signal processing is quantitatively evaluated. The results demonstrate that the proposed method effectively suppresses systematic errors in wavefield analysis, and specifically enhances the accuracy and confidence of steered response power—phase transform (SRP-PHAT) spatial spectrum estimation. This study provides a systematic framework for understanding, quantifying, and inverting the spatial response in $\varphi$-OTDR, enabling accurate and interpretable acoustic field sensing. Full article

This paper proposes a distributed vibration sensing system based on dual-chirped pulses and weak fiber Bragg gratings. Compared with conventional dual-pulse heterodyne detection techniques, the proposed approach utilizes the time-frequency characteristics of chirp signals, effectively relaxing the stringent requirements on the signal pulse width. In addition, when chirp signals with different chirp rates are adopted, frequency-division multiplexing technology can be realized to enhance the system’s response bandwidth. Last but not least, the sensing probe signal is generated in the optical domain using microwave photonic technology, which theoretically helps alleviate the dependence on arbitrary waveform generators. A simulation study on the system was conducted. Using a chirp signal of 200 MHz/μs and with a grating spacing of 50 m, the desired vibration signal is phased modulated onto a beat signal with a frequency of 100 MHz, and the allowable pulse width can be up to 500 ns. To verify frequency-division multiplexing capability further, an additional pair of chirped pulses with a chirp rate of 400 MHz/μs was introduced into the system, which was generated by frequency multiplication. The results demonstrate that the system response bandwidth is increased to twice the original bandwidth. The proposed scheme provides a new solution for performance enhancement in a distributed fiber optic vibration sensing system. Full article

We demonstrate a distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) system based on phase-sensitive optical time-domain reflectometry (Φ-OTDR) that employs I/Q demodulation and heterodyne detection. The proposed DAS system utilizes a 90° optical hybrid to obtain in-phase (I) and quadrature (Q) signals. By applying undersampling theory, the system significantly reduces the required analog-to-digital sampling rate. In an experimental demonstration, a 200 MHz heterodyne beat signal is successfully recovered at a sampling rate of 110 MSa/s without any loss of phase information. The system achieves a spatial resolution of 10 m, a signal-to-noise ratio of approximately 63.54 dB at a demodulation frequency of 200 Hz, and a background noise level of −52.27 dB·rad2/Hz. In addition, an amplitude-based analysis of the I/Q data is used to locate vibration events and estimate their effective length, so that an adaptive differential gauge length can be chosen to suppress common-phase fluctuations and restrict phase demodulation to a short fiber segment. This approach effectively reduces data throughput and system complexity while maintaining high sensitivity and resolution, illustrating the potential for more efficient real-time DAS implementations. Full article

Raman spectroscopy is essential for the in situ identification of lunar minerals, yet weak signals and stringent payload constraints demand instruments with high throughput and mechanical robustness. Here a microscope-coupled spatial heterodyne Raman spectrometer (SHRS) is developed for stable, adjustment-free operation, with performance set by an explicit sampling analysis that links magnification, pixel pitch, and detector format to achievable spectral resolution and range. The interferometer geometry is fixed in service and is established using removable alignment blocks referenced to the Littrow condition during integration and then removed from the optical path, which mitigates backlash, creep, and dust sensitivity while preserving reinstallability for verification. Guided by the sampling analysis, the laboratory prototype meets a 100–3600 cm⁻¹ spectral range with an effective resolution better than 10 cm⁻¹, further corroborated by the narrow FWHM of the diamond Raman line. Representative minerals are recovered at the expected wavenumber, and a broad-scan of gypsum retrieves the sulfate fundamentals and the O–H stretching envelope near 3400 cm⁻¹, indicating maintained coverage and sensitivity into the high-wavenumber region relevant to bound water. A comparative study of sampling magnification confirms the sampling-limited predictions and shows that higher magnification improves effective SNR and peak visibility with only minor changes in width, providing practical guidance for compact SHRS design under low-signal conditions. The results support a compact, slit-free SHRS as a credible basis for future lunar and other planetary deployments. Full article

In this study, we statistically analyze the performance of a threshold-based multiple optical signal selection scheme (TMOS) for wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) and adaptive coded modulation (ACM); this is achieved using free space optical (FSO) communication between mobile platforms in maritime environments with fog and 3D pointing errors. Specifically, we derive a new closed-form expression for a composite probability density function (PDF) that is more appropriate for applying various algorithms to FSO systems under the combined effects of fog and pointing errors. We then analyze the outage probability, average spectral efficiency (ASE), and bit error rate (BER) performance of the conventional detection techniques (i.e., heterodyne and intensity modulation/direct detection). The derived analytical results were cross-verified using Monte Carlo simulations. The results show that we can obtain a higher ASE performance by applying TMOS-based WDM and ACM and that the probability of the beam being detected in the photodetector increased at a low signal-to-noise ratio, contrary to conventional performance. Furthermore, it has been confirmed that applying WDM and ACM is suitable, particularly in maritime environments where channel conditions frequently change. Full article