W-shaped common-path interferometer

Abstract

We present a novel static W-shaped common-path interferometer. In particular, the W-shaped common-path corner-cube retroreflector interferometer (W-CPRI) is introduced via detailed analysis of its working principles and performance. It comprises two corner-cube retroreflectors (CCRs), a reflecting mirror (RM), and a beam splitter. For each interference output of an ideal W-CPRI, the two beams recombine and have the same output direction, including a tilted CCR. In a deformed W-CPRI structure, an optical path difference can be produced by inserting an optical element that changes the optical path in the interferometer arm of the W-CPRI. The posture deviations of the RM and the CCRs in the W-CPRI are analyzed. In addition, a proof-of-concept experiment is conducted, with the stability analyzed using the fringe similarity method. The average cosine similarity is 0.9953, revealing that this W-CPRI has high stability and strong coherence while avoiding the tilt and displacement of the interferometer arm.

Joint interference imaging spectral super-resolution technology based on FPI modulation

“…In addition, increasing OPD requires a higher collimation of the beam, which results in a reduction in optical system luminous flux. Due to the demand for scene map information, the main research methods to improve the maximum effective OPD are: using the parallel or rotational motion of the angle mirror to realize the folding of the interference optical path, thereby completing the doubling of the maximum OPD 5,[10][11][12] . However, this method increases the volume and complexity of the optical system that interferes with the optical path, and also introduces traverse errors and shaking errors during the movement of the angle mirror.…”