A Fizeau interferometer is an interferometric device that uses the principle of interference to measure the surface flatness and quality of optical components. It consists of a light source, typically a laser, which emits coherent light that is split into two beams. One beam is directed towards a reference mirror, and the other beam is directed towards the surface of the optical component being tested.
Key features and principles of a Fizeau interferometer include:
Interference pattern: The reflected beams from the reference mirror and the test surface recombine, creating an interference pattern.
Surface analysis: Changes in the interference pattern reveal deviations in the flatness or irregularities of the test surface relative to the reference mirror.
Accuracy: Fizeau interferometers are capable of measuring surface irregularities down to fractions of a wavelength of light, making them highly accurate for optical quality control and metrology.
Fizeau interferometers are widely used in industries such as optics manufacturing, aerospace, semiconductor fabrication, and astronomy for ensuring the precise surface quality of optical components used in various applications.