Abstract

A common-path polarization interferometer using a Wollaston prism and an area detector for the measurement of retardation or optical path difference is presented. Employing a moderate-resolution 1280 by 1024 pixel monochrome camera, it offers a measurement range of approximately 780 radians at 830 nm and 1350 radians at 515 nm while maintaining a high measurement resolution. Retardation introduced by a zero-order waveplate or a Soleil–Babinet compensator was measured to evaluate the performance of the interferometer. Based on the presented measurement results, the resolution of the measurement is estimated to be better than 0.002 rad.

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