Open AccessA common-path polarization-based image-inversion interferometer
Author(s) -
Walker Larson,
Nelson V. Tabiryan,
Bahaa E. A. Saleh
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - Uncategorized
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.27.005685
Subject(s) - optics , interferometry , physics , astronomical interferometer , polarization (electrochemistry) , angular momentum , optical path , spectrum analyzer , birefringence , chemistry , quantum mechanics
We present a collinear, common-path image-inversion interferometer using the polarization channels of a single optical beam. Each of the channels is an imaging system of unit magnification, one positive and the other negative (inverted). Image formation is realized by means of a set of anisotropic lenses, each offering refractive power in one polarization and none in the other. The operation of the interferometer as a spatial-parity analyzer is demonstrated experimentally by separating even- and odd-order orbital angular momentum modes of an optical beam. The common-path configuration overcomes the stability issues present in conventional two-path interferometers.