Mode-locked ring lasers for the backscattering measurement of mirrors

摘要

A new method for measuring the backscattering produced by mirrors is presented. A mode-locked ring laser allows us to achieve more sensitivity than with any other technique. The present sensitivity to a minimum intensity backscattering coefficient (ratio of backscattered versus incident intensity) of 10~(-15) can be enhanced through stabilization. We compare results realized with this technique with results issued from classical bidirectional reflectance distribution function measurements.