Abstract:
An interferometer, preferably of the Michelson type, in which the reflectors (19, 21) associated with the interferometer arms (15, 17) are stationary, and scanning is accomplished by motion of a wedge-shaped refractive element (23) in one of the arms, the orientation of the refractive element and its direction of motion (24) being in specific mathematically derived directions which minimize the translatory displacement of the transmitted optical beam.
Abstract:
A modified Michelson type of interferometer having a pair of substantially identical refractive prisms (12), each having a cross-sectional shape of 1/2 of a hexagon, the division being along a line bisecting opposite sides (S) of the hexagon, where each of the prisms has a side for beam input or output, a side that is coated to provide a mirror for beam reflection and a beamsplitter coating (BS) applied to one of the two surfaces along the line of division. Additionally, a collimating and/or focusing lens may be integral with the prism having the input or output side, such that linear, constant speed, relative scanning of the prisms in the direction of the line of division of the prisms enables the elimination of the mounting of all components, made a part of or attached to the prisms, to an optical bench.
Abstract:
This disclosure provides an optical interferometer including a multi-faceted optical element that is rotated to introduce an optical path length difference between two different optical paths in the interferometer. The multi-faceted optical element can be configured to be rotated about an axis such that the optical path length difference between the first and second optical paths varies between a first value and a second value several times during one complete rotation of the optical element. The multi-faceted optical element can be rotationally symmetric having n-fold rotational symmetry. The two different optical paths can be non-coplanar with respect to each other and the multi-faceted optical element can be disposed in one of the optical paths or both the optical paths.