Interferometers are essential measurement tools for the production and quality control of optical components and systems. Their applications range from testing the flatness and sphericity of surfaces to measuring radii and testing the performance of optical systems.
Technical mass products with flat surfaces specified to better than 0.1µm over a few cm are produced by millions per month.The production processes are lapping & polishing – and, increasingly more often, micro-machining; 90% have diameters under 50mm.ISO 9000 requires tight inspection often 100%.The most common tool for this is The Interferometer.An esteemed value to engineers as does the stethoscope for the medical practitioner.
| Measurement | Measures radius of Curvature for Spherical Surfaces |
| Capability | Transmitted wavefront of transparent spherical optics |
| Transmission Flat Accuracy | λ/.10 & λ/.20 |
| Reference Flat Mounting | Bayonet Mounted |
| Clear aperture | Ø 60 and Ø 100 mm |
| Fringe Analysis Software | Static Fringe |
| Zoom Control | Wired |
| Optical Zoom | 6X |
| Alignment field of view | +/- 2 degrees |
| Dimensions | 470 x 500 x 1230 mm |
| Weight | 90 Kgs |
| Power Input | 220 V AC, 50 Hz |
The Michelson interferometer is an optical instrument of high precision and versatility. It generally is used in investigations that involve small changes in optical path lengths. With the Michelson interferometer, one can produce circular and straight-line fringes of both monochromatic light and white light. One can use these fringes to make an accurate comparison of wavelengths, measure the refractive index of gases and transparent solids, and determine small changes in length quite precisely. The instrument can be used as a stable mode selecting resonator element in laser cavities as well. The Michelson interferometer is perhaps the best known and most basic in a family of interferometers which includes the Fabry-Perot interferometer, the Twyman-Green interferometer and the Mach-Zehnder interferometer.The Plano Optics make Michelson Interferometer is constructed on a Machined Steel Base. High precision movable-mirror with smooth fine movement of 0.6 microns facilitates fringe counting.You can upgrade by adding few parts to work as Fabry Perot Interferometer & Twyman Green Interferometer.
Interference Fringes Observation
The Multi-beam Interference
Demonstration of the principle of Twyman-Green interferometer
Special Features:
| Repeatability | better than 0.03 μm |
| Resolution | 0.03 μm |
| Accuracy | 0.1-0.4 μm+ 2% of the measured value |
| Calibrated Sensitivities | 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 & 4.0 μm per fringe |
| Flatness of Reference surface of Prism | 0.06 μm |
| Dynamic Range | > 100 μm |
| Part Range | 50 mm - 100 mm |
| Measurement Time | 5 seconds (typical) |
| Surfaces | Ground, lapped or polished |
| Interferometer Housing | 65 cm x 65 cm x 35 cm |
| Weight | < 40 kg |