Abstract

We report an experimental method for high-precision refractive index measurement using a Michelson interferometer setup with a femtosecond optical frequency comb as the light source. We demonstrate this technique by measuring the refractive index of air, under different pressures, inside a $29\mathrm{m}$ multipass cell. Both spectral and temporal interferograms are recorded. The method has a sensitivity of $6.2\times {10}^{-9}$ and a standard error of $7.4\times {10}^{-8}$ at fixed parameters (pressure and temperature). The possible variation of the density factor from the Lorentz–Lorenz equation is also discussed.

© 2005 Optical Society of America

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Comment on “Precision refractive index measurements of air, N₂, O₂, Ar, and CO₂ with a frequency comb”

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