A velocity interferometer system for any reflector utilizing a short coherence length laser

A velocity interferometer system for any reflector, utilizing a laser of coherence length less than the optical path difference (OPD) between the two interferometer arms, is described and tested. In this instrument the laser beam is passed through the interferometer both before and after it is reflected from the target. As a result the coherence length of the laser need only be twice the relatively small distance traveled by the target in the time taken for light to traverse the OPD. Results are presented for a nonspecular target.