Wavelength Metrology with Webcams

A precise wavelength meter is crucial to many experiments but can cost upwards of $20,000. We are developing a method of using a CCD camera to measure the wavelength of a laser. Our proposed device is robust, inexpensive, and projected to yield picometer-level precision. As collimated light passes through the color filters over each pixel, it undergoes a measurable etaloning effect. By creating a precise spectral response model for many pixels, we can use a least squares error method to calculate the wavelength of the laser.