Open AccessRobust interferometer with external phase-shift control
Author(s) -
José A. Ferrari,
Jorge L. Flores,
Gastón A. Ayubi,
Erna Frins
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.25.029965
Subject(s) - optics , collimated light , interferometry , superposition principle , physics , astronomical interferometer , polarization (electrochemistry) , beam (structure) , reference beam , phase (matter) , laser , chemistry , quantum mechanics
We describe a robust interferometer with external phase-shift control that does not require moving parts. The optical architecture resembles a common-path device in which the interfering waves propagate together in one collimated beam passing through the test sample. The collimated beam is incident on a calcite plate, which produces a polarization selective lateral translation and superposition of the reference and test waves. The characteristic features of the proposed interferometer, i.e. one-beam single-element scheme combined with external phase-shift control without moving parts, make a highly vibration insensitive device. Validation experiments are presented.