04-2
Chapter One
Newton, Fizeau, and Haidinger
Interferometers
M. V. Mantravadi and D. Malacara
1.1. INTRODUCTION
This chapter has been updated by the second author; it includes much of the material
from the previous version of the book. Newton, Fizeau, and Haidinger interferometers
are among the simplest and most powerful tools available to a working optician.
With very little effort, these interferometers can be set up in an optical workshop for
routine testing of optical components to an accuracy of a fraction of the wavelength
of light. Even though these instruments are simple in application and interpretation,
the physical principles underlying them involve a certain appreciation and application
of physical optics. In this chapter, we examine the various aspects of these
interferometers and also consider the recent application of laser sources to them. The
absolute testing of flats will also be considered in this chapter.
< ... read full excerpt from Optical Shop Testing ebook
