AN IMPROVED INTERFEROMETER FOR DETERMINING PARALLELISM ERRORS IN LONG END-GAUGES

This paper describes an interferometer designed for the determination of the parallelism of the working faces of end-gauges up to 24 in. in length. An instrument for this purpose, but which required somewhat highly specialized technique in the course of its construction, had been previously designed by the National Physical Laboratory. Using optical principles the same as those of the British instrument, another of an entirely new mechanical design has been constructed by the National Research Laboratories, Ottawa. This new interferometer incorporates kinematic principles and a number of interesting features to permit easy adjustment and operation to the very fine limits necessary. By the addition of a sensitive level vial to this instrument, the difference in length of nominally equal end-gauges can be determined to an accuracy of 1 or 2 × 10 −6 in.