Optical vortex interferometry: AD 2007

The optical vortex interferometer (OVI) generates regular lattice of optical vortices. As in standard two beam interferometry the sample under measurements is introduced into one of the interferometer arm, which changes the vortex lattice geometry and position. These changes can be measured and recomputed to the values of physical quantities characterizing the sample. In this paper an overview of OVI configurations as well as basic properties is given. The other solutions based on the three or more plane waves' interference field are also presented in brief.