We demonstrate precise linearization of ultrabroadband laser frequency chirps via a fiber-based self-heterodyne technique to enable extremely high-resolution, frequency-modulated cw laser-radar (LADAR) and a wide range of other metrology applications. Our frequency chirps cover bandwidths up to nearly $5\mathrm{THz}$ with frequency errors as low as $170\mathrm{kHz}$ , relative to linearity. We show that this performance enables $31\text{-}\mu \mathrm{m}$ transform-limited LADAR range resolution (FWHM) and 86 nm range precisions over a 1.5 m range baseline. Much longer range baselines are possible but are limited by atmospheric turbulence and fiber dispersion.

© 2009 Optical Society of America

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