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Laser diode self-mixing: Range-finding and sub-micron vibration measurement

Applied Science · demo · Watch on YouTube

Electronics & circuit designEveryday physics & science demosFundamental physics

What it is

Ben Krasnow of Applied Science shows that a plain laser diode can measure sub-micron vibrations from centimeters away using self-mixing interferometry, and can also be used for range-finding.

Why Hacker News recommends it

HN points to it as a cool demonstration of cheap precision laser measurement and the origin of hacks based on self-mixing.

  • 1 people recommended it
  • 1 different months
  • 0 strong recommendations
  • first 2019, last 2025

What HN commenters said

  1. “a pretty cool video where he demonstrates how a single laser diode can be used to measure miniscule vibrations”

    A single laser diode measuring miniscule vibrations

    birktj, 2024-08 · Recommendation · in “Open source laser microphone picks up laptop keystrokes”

Excerpts from Hacker News comments, linked to the originals. Summaries and labels were written by a language model from those comments.

Topics: laser diode, interferometry, vibration measurement, range finding, applied science

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