Simple approach for extending the ambiguity-free-range of dual-comb ranging

Abstract

Dual-comb (DC) ranging is an established method for high-precision and high-accuracy distance measurements. It is, however, restricted by an inherent length ambiguity and the requirement for complex control loops for comb stabilization. Here, we present a simple approach for expanding the ambiguity-free measurement length of dual-comb ranging by exploiting the intrinsic intensity modulation of a single-cavity dualcolor DC for simultaneous time-of-flight a nd D C distance measurements. This measurement approach enables the measurement of distances up to several hundred km with the precision and accuracy of a dualcomb interferometric setup while providing a high data acquisition rate (~2 kHz) and requiring only the repetition rate of one of the combs to be stabilized.