Abstract:
An apparatus for measuring changes in a variable interference section of an interferometer comprises a laser source for producing beams of the frequency n.sub.1 and the frequency n.sub.2, polarizing beam splitters for producing cross-polarized partial beams of frequency n.sub.1 or n.sub.2, modulators for displacing the frequency of one of the partial beams by frequency f.sub.1 or f.sub.2, a pair of deflecting mirrors in each case and polarizing beam splitters for combining the partial beam n.sub.1, n.sub.1 +f.sub.1, n.sub.2, n.sub.2 +f.sub.2. The apparatus further includes two photodetectors, upstream of which are arranged a polarizer, a Michelson interferometer, a non-polarizing beam splitter for splitting the partial beams in each case into a measuring light beam or a reference light beam. The reference light beam passes to an associated photodetector. The measuring light beam passes into the Michelson interferometer and then to the associated photodetector. The signals of the photodetectors are demodulated according to the amplitude and the phase difference between the two demodulated signals is determined. This phase difference is only dependent on the position of a measurement object and the equivalent wavelength of the difference n.sub.1 -n.sub.2. A method for measuring changes by determining positions or distances is performed by the apparatus.
Abstract:
The present apparatus includes a two-frequency, Zeeman-effect laser and matched, doubly refracting crystals in the construction of an accurate interferometer. Unlike other interferometric devices, the subject invention exhibits excellent phase stability owing to the use of single piece means for producing parallel interferometer arms, making the interferometer relatively insensitive to thermal and mechanical instabilities. Interferometers respond to differences in optical path length between their two arms. Unlike many interferometric techniques, which require the measurement of the location of interference fringes in a brightly illuminated background, the present invention permits the determination of the optical path length difference by measuring the phase of an electronic sine wave. The present apparatus is demonstrated as a differential thermooptic spectrometer for measuring differential optical absorption simply and accurately which is but one of many applications therefor. The relative intensities of the heating beams along each arm of the interferometer can be easily adjusted by observing a zero phase difference with identical samples when this condition is obtained.
Abstract:
An optical system for analyzing and correcting wave fronts comprising a deformable mirror for correcting wave fronts and a system for analyzing and detecting phase distortion, an interferometer with lateral duplication constituting the analysis system, receiving the wave front for analysis and duplicating it and deducing from two neighboring wave fronts obtained signals to control deformation of the deformable mirror, wherein this lateral duplication interferometer is a polarization interferometer consisting of a Wollaston double-refractive biprism with an angle .theta., the two prisms being assembled head to tail and cut parallel to the crystallographic axis such that the respective axes are parallel and perpendicular to the edges of the prisms, a polarizer and an analyzer on either side of the biprism and an oscillating optical member on the path of the biprism.
Abstract:
A method for measuring an optical length of light path based on use of multiple-beam interference of light and carried into effect by forming an original light beam with two collinear components having mutually independent polarizations and different frequencies in such a manner that when forming each of the following interfering light beams from the preceding one, polarizations of the light components having different frequencies are mutually converted, whereupon the interfered light is converted into an electric signal and its phase is measured, by which the light path optical length is determined. A laser interferometer carrying said method into effect comprises: a laser and arranged consecutively along the direction of run of the light beam: a device for offsetting the frequency of one of the light components, reflecting elements, a polarizing element for separating the light of the interfering beams according to polarization, and a photoelectric converter of the interfered light into an electric signal, as well as a unit for measuring the phase of an electric signal, connected to the photoelectric converter and also a birefringent plate located between the reflecting elements and adapted for mutual conversion of polarizations of the two light components.