Phase noise characteristics of a diode-pumped Nd:YAG laser in an unbalanced fiber-optic interferometer

The measurement sensitivity of interferometric fiber sensors can be limited by the laser phase noise. We investigate the phase noise characteristics of a diode-pumped Nd:YAG laser in an unbalanced fiber-optic interferometer. Measurements were made of the phase-induced intensity noise of an interferometer with varying optical path differences. The experimental results of the relation between the noise and the optical path difference are given, and the application of the results in the design of a fiber-optic accelerometer is discussed.