Common Path Interferometer Using Optically Induced Molecular Reorientation In Liquid Crystals

C. P. Grover

doi:10.1117/12.938594

25 November 1986 Common Path Interferometer Using Optically Induced Molecular Reorientation In Liquid Crystals

C. P. Grover

Proceedings Volume 0661, Optical Testing and Metrology; (1986) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.938594
Event: 1986 Quebec Symposium, 1986, Quebec City, Canada

Abstract

Optically induced molecular reorientation in nematic liquid crystals has been used to obtain a common path interferometer for measuring aberrations of the incident beam. When a strong laser beam is focussed onto homeotropically aligned liquid crystals, it produces above a threshold value, a molecular distortion, the profile of which depends upon the point spread function of the incident beam. The strong zero spatial frequency component creates a highly distorted centre due to the crystal birefringence producing a diverging spherical reference wavefront. This interferes with the directly transmitted aberrated wavefront producing fringes in the same way as in the point-diffraction interferometer. This interference phenomenon occurs in the extraordinary wave and resulting fringes represent directly the thickness contours of the incident wave.

Citation Download Citation

C. P. Grover "Common Path Interferometer Using Optically Induced Molecular Reorientation In Liquid Crystals", Proc. SPIE 0661, Optical Testing and Metrology, (25 November 1986); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.938594

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