Folded Jamin interferometer: a stable instrument for refractive-index measurements

Area of Science:

• Optics and Photonics
• Interferometry
• Optical Measurement

Background:

• Refractive index measurement is crucial in various scientific and industrial applications.
• Existing interferometers can be sensitive to environmental disturbances and mechanical instability.
• A need exists for robust and simplified interferometric systems for precise optical property determination.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a novel two-beam interferometer design for measuring refractive index and its variations.
• To develop an interferometer with enhanced stability and reduced sensitivity to optical element movement.
• To demonstrate a compact and practical system for optical metrology.

Main Methods:

• Design and construction of a two-beam interferometer utilizing only two optical elements.
• Implementation of a polarized, folded Jamin interferometer configuration.
• Development of a laboratory prototype for performance evaluation.

Main Results:

• The developed interferometer demonstrates high insensitivity to the movement of its optical components.
• A functional laboratory prototype was successfully built and tested.
• The design facilitates convenient phase adjustment for accurate measurements.

Conclusions:

• The novel two-beam interferometer offers a stable and simplified approach for refractive index measurements.
• Its robustness against mechanical disturbances makes it suitable for demanding optical sensing applications.
• This compact interferometric system represents a significant advancement in optical metrology.