Robust high-dynamic-range optical roll sensing

We present a robust optical-roll sensor with a high-dynamic range and high-throughput capabilities. The working principle relies on tracking the amplitude of an optical square wave-encoded light source. After encoding a square wave onto a polarization reference, quadrature demodulation of the polarized light allows us to cancel common-mode noise. Benefits of this sensor include its simplicity, low cost, high-throughput, insensitivity to source amplitude fluctuations, and no inherent drift. In this Letter, we present the working principle and experimentally validate a 43° usable working range with 0.002° resolution. This sensor has the highest reported dynamic range for optical roll sensing.