Interference of Polarized Waves at the Exit of Crystal Prisms and Their Use to Control the Wavefront Flatness
V. Y. Osipov1, Y. V. Osipov2, V. N. Popov2, A. A. Buznikov2
1 Ul'yanov St. Petersburg State Electrotechnical University Ioffe Physicotechnical Institute
2 Ul'yanov St. Petersburg State Electrotechnical University
vladyuo@hotmail.com, osipov@mail.ioffe.ru, aabuznikov@mail.ru
Keywords: crystal optics, birefringent prism, interference pattern, radiation divergence, wavefront sensor
Pages: 88-110
Abstract
A theoretical and experimental study was performed of the interference of polarized e- and o-waves generated by passing a laser beam (collimated, convergent or divergent) through a variablesplitting-angle birefringent prism (VSABP) with inclined optical axes in the crystalline components of the prism. The VSABP-2 modification is suitable for measuring the radius of curvature of the incident wavefront from the deflection of interference fringes. This prism was used to develop an interferometric device for controlling the degree of divergence/convergence of laser radiation and a wavefront sensor for diagnosing flat wavefronts.
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