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Dual- and Multiple-beam Interferometry by Wavefront Reconstruction

Nature volume 209, pages 1015–1016 (1966)Cite this article

Abstract

THE formation of optical images by wave-front reconstruction as originated by Gabor1 and more recently extended by Leith and Upatnieks2 has made it possible to perform interferometry with light reflected or scattered from an irregular three-dimensional object3. Some of the possibilities of this method have been discussed in a previous publication4, and more recently Stetson and Powell6, Collier, Doherty and Pennington6 and Brooks, Heflinger and Wuerker7 have demonstrated several potential applications. This communication reports the successful achievement of multiple-beam as well as two-beam interferometry from the surfaces of standard engineering components. It would seem that many problems involving dilatation of a structure may be investigated in this way.

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References

  1. Gabor, D., Proc. Roy. Soc., A, 197, 454 (1949).

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  2. Leith, E. N., and Upatnieks, J., J. Opt. Soc. Amer., 54, 1295 (1964).

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  3. Powell, R. L., and Stetson, K. A., J. Opt. Soc. Amer., 55, 612 (1965).

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  7. Brooks, R. E., Heflinger, L. O., and Wuerker, R. F., App. Phys. Lett., 7, 248 (1965).

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Author notes

  1. R. J. WILTON: Seconded from The Borough Polytechnic, London, S.E.1.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Physical Laboratory, Teddington, Middlesex

    J. M. BURCH, A. E. ENNOS & R. J. WILTON

Authors
  1. J. M. BURCH
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  2. A. E. ENNOS
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  3. R. J. WILTON
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BURCH, J., ENNOS, A. & WILTON, R. Dual- and Multiple-beam Interferometry by Wavefront Reconstruction. Nature 209, 1015–1016 (1966). https://doi.org/10.1038/2091015a0

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