Abstract
As an alternative to the conventional method of measuring length as a function of the wavelength of a monochromatic laser source, we investigated the possibility of arbitrary distance estimation using the repetition interval of a femtosecond optical frequency comb (FOFC). The investigation is based on an analysis of the formation of the interference fringes of multiple pulse trains. It is found that distance can be measured as a function of the repetition interval between pulses by determining two values from the interference fringes of multiple pulse trains. One is the distance between temporal coherence peaks, and the other is the phase relation between the multiple interference fringes. Theoretical analysis and numerical investigations pave the way for the development of a new length traceability system directly linked to a stable FOFC for both scientific and industrial uses.