Multi-Reference Broadband Laser Ranging To Increase The Measuring Range

Broadband laser ranging (BLR) is an appropriate method to obtain absolute distance in dynamic experiments. In this article, we first analyze the performance limit for BLR and indicate that the measuring range can be hardly increased while keeping the distance or time resolution unchanged. Then, multi-reference BLR is proposed, which can break this limit and greatly increase the measuring range. Its validity is demonstrated by an experiment with an explosively driven aluminum surface flying over 100 mm. This method would improve the capability of BLR. Published under license by AIP Publishing.