Open AccessOptical tests with Bessel beam interferometry
Author(s) -
M. Fortin,
Michel Piché,
E. F. Borra
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/opex.12.005887
Subject(s) - optics , bessel function , interferometry , bessel beam , superposition principle , wavefront , curvature , physics , beam (structure) , mathematics , geometry , quantum mechanics
In this paper we demonstrate how Bessel beam interferometry can be used to characterize the curvature of a reflecting surface. The approach is based on the fact that the intensity distribution produced by the coherent superposition of Bessel beams is a sensitive function of the relative phases between the constituting beams. We show how this phase sensitivity can translate into accurate measurements of the curvature of a wavefront. Experimental tests were made with a liquid mirror. We have also used Bessel beams to measure the precession angle of the liquid mirror. Our results show that Bessel beam interferometry is a very accurate tool for the optical testing of non-stationary surfaces and that it could be used as a general method of real-time, non-contact sensing. Bessel beam interferometry has the advantage of not requiring any reference arm that needs to be stabilized.