Abstract

The physical theory, of testing optics by the Ronchi sine grating interferometer is developed. In the experiment a sine grating splits the third-order wavefront of the zone plate under test into three displaced wavefronts, which then interfere with one another to form interference fringes. The intensity distribution of the interference pattern can be recorded for various positions of the sine grating. By subtracting the contribution of the inherent diffractive aberration of the sine grating, the value of the spherical aberration associated with the third-order wavefront of the zone plate under test can be determined. Theory and experiment are compared.

© 1990 Optical Society of America

Quantitative three-beam Ronchi test

Jenn-An Lin, Jeremy Hsu, and S. G. Shiue
Appl. Opt. 29(13) 1912-1918 (1990)

Zone Plate Interferometer

Raymond N. Smartt
Appl. Opt. 13(5) 1093-1099 (1974)

Method to obtain a clear fringe pattern with a zone-plate interferometer

Takashi Nomura, Kazuhide Kamiya, Hiroshi Miyashiro, Kazuo Yoshikawa, and Hatsuzo Tashiro
Appl. Opt. 34(13) 2187-2193 (1995)

Holographic nondestructive testing by an optically generated zone plate

N. Rodriguez, Roberto D. Torroba, Mario Gallardo, and Mario Garavaglia
Appl. Opt. 25(12) 1908-1911 (1986)

Interferometric alignment using parabolic and off-axis conical zone plates

Zbigniew Jaroszewicz, Vicente Moreno, and Salvador Bara
Appl. Opt. 29(31) 4614-4617 (1990)