Related Experiment Videos
Zero fringe visibility in the classical localization plane of a two-beam interferometer
Juan M Simon1, Silvia A Comastri
1Laboratorio de Optica, Departamento de Física, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Universitaria, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Summary
This study revisits the van Cittert-Zernike theorem for interferometers, showing that fringe visibility can be zero. Numerical and experimental results demonstrate how aberrations cause the localization region to split into two distinct areas.
Area of Science:
- Optics
- Interferometry
- Diffraction Theory
Background:
- The van Cittert-Zernike theorem was previously generalized for two-beam interferometers illuminated by extended sources.
- The complex degree of coherence was found to be equivalent to the Fraunhofer diffraction pattern of an aberrated optical system.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the implications of generalized van Cittert-Zernike theorem concerning fringe visibility.
- To explore situations where fringe visibility becomes zero due to equivalent aberrations.
Main Methods:
- Numerical simulations to model the optical system.
- Experimental verification of the theoretical predictions.
Main Results:
- Confirmed that fringe visibility can indeed be zero in the localization plane.
- Demonstrated that equivalent aberrations cause the fringe localization region to split into two parts.
Conclusions:
- The findings validate previous theoretical work on fringe localization depth.
- Aberrations play a critical role in determining the behavior of fringe localization in interferometers.