Interferometers: The Light Source Determines Performance and Application
Presented by:
Robert Smythe, Äpre InstrumentsThe practical application of interferometers to optical component and system testing was enabled by the invention of the laser. White light interferometers were nearly impossible to use with interference fringes isolated to a few micron position. Lasers produce interference everywhere, making them easy to align and acquire fringes, but are limited to applications with single cavity interference. Wavelength shifting laser diodes and Spectrally Controlled Interferometry (SCI), now complement laser interferometry opening up new applications and improving the performance of existing applications. A brief review of applications with stabilized lasers, wavelength shifting lasers and white light sources will be followed by a look at new applications available to Spectrally Controlled Interferometry.
About the presenterRobert Smythe is president of Äpre Instruments and has more than 30 years experience designing,
developing, and applying interferometry to optical manufacturing process control first at Corning
[Tropel], then Zygo Corporation and now Äpre Instruments. He has a bachelor's degree in physics.
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