LOW-COHERENCE INTERFEROMETER WITH DIFFRACTION REFERENCE WAVE AND SOURCE OF TWO SPHERICAL REFERENCE WAVES THEREFOR Russian patent published in 2015 - IPC G01B9/02 

FIELD: physics, optics.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to applied physics, particularly tools for investigating and measuring optical elements and systems. The low-coherence interferometer with a diffraction reference wave includes a low-coherence light source, a light splitter whose outputs are connected to two parts of an optical fibre. The function of the means of redirecting light from the analysed object to the detector is performed by the basic plane of the housing of a source of two spherical reference waves. The source of two spherical reference waves includes two sections of an optical fibre, the ends of which are tapered with bevel edges that are metal coated up to the vertices, wherein the second ends of the sections of the optical fibre are rigidly attached to the housing at an angle to each other; the vertices of the sections are inserted in outlet holes on the basic plane of the housing and are spaced apart by a distance comparable to the diameter of the core of the optical fibre. The housing is provided with fastening elements, and the function the means of redirecting light is performed by the basic plane of the housing.

EFFECT: high accuracy of measurements and reliability of the interferometer, as well as a larger working aperture of the interferometer.

16 cl, 4 dwg