Focal length measurement based on vortex beam interference

Abstract

This paper proposes a new method to measure the focal lengths of both convex and concave lenses based on vortex beam interference. Theoretical analysis illustrates that the maximum intensity distribution of the interferogram is in accordance with the Fermat's spiral, and the spiral coefficient is proportional to the difference between the focal length of the test lens and the distance from the test lens to the camera. In order to calculate the precise focal length, we separately block the light paths to obtain the reference and test beam spots, and get the ratio of these two spot sizes. Then, the ratio and the spiral coefficient are used to determine the focal length. For a biconvex lens with a focal length of 200 mm and a biconcave lens with a focal length of −100 mm, the relative measurement errors are 0.0892 % and 0.0800 %, respectively. This research provides a novel and convenient method for measuring the focal length, and no-sophisticated displacement devices and moving the lens to be measured are required in the measurement.