A Compact Lateral Shearing Interferometer Based on the Michelson Interferometer

Until now almost all the lateral shearing interferometers have been based on the Mach-Zehnder or Jamin interferometers. Many of these modifications are useful in optical testing, interference microscopy, etc. A simple lateral shearing interferometer is devised using the Michelson interferometer as the basis. This consists of essentially two right angle prisms put together. These prisms are cemented together to have fixed shear. Also, an interferometer of variable shear is built by having a thin layer of oil between the prisms. The interferometer is used in optical testing by placing it in the focal region of an optical system.