Tunable holographic interferometer with a beam-splitting unit and fixed mirrors

Abstract

This paper presents a holographic interferometer configuration with inclined fixed mirrors based on a beam-splitting unit in which the convergence angle of the partial beams is tuned only by rotating the interferometer relative to the radiation source. The continuous range of tuning is close to the maximum possible (0–180°). The path lengths of the interfering beams are automatically aligned due to the mirror symmetry of the system. The position of the axis of rotation providing minimal aperture limitations in almost the entire range of tuning is determined. A comparison is made with an alternative configuration based on a beam-splitter cube.