A novel optical technique for measuring small vibrations

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Abstract
A technique is described which utilises an incoherent light source and surface scattering to measure tilting movements of a target. The theoretical basis of this technique compared well with experimental observations. With a realisable system the worst-case amplitude resolution is of the order of 10 nm Hz-12/, but in practical situations is about 1 nm Hz-12/. This technique has been successfully applied to measurements of eardrum vibrations in vivo. It may readily be extended to make simultaneous measurements over an area of the target.