The technology described here enables the use of an inexpensive laser to
measure an interferometric response of an optical device under test (DUT)
at reflection lengths significantly greater than the coherence length of
the laser. This is particularly beneficial in practical interferometric
applications where cost is a concern. In other words, inexpensive lasers
having shorter coherence lengths may be used to achieve very high
interferometric measurements at longer DUT reflection lengths. The
technology also enables the use of such inexpensive lasers to measure
Rayleigh scatter in commercial-grade, single-mode optical fiber.