Application of geometric phase techniques to stellar interferometry
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Updated: Jun 6, 2026

The Generation of Higher-order Laguerre-Gauss Optical Beams for High-precision Interferometry
Published on: August 12, 2013
Abstract:
In stellar interferometry the fringe visibility can be measured by modulating the optical path difference between the two arms of an interferometer. This approach yields accurate estimates of the fringe visibility only if the bandwidth is small, and this limits the sensitivity of the technique. We propose using a geometric phase modulator that is achromatic and does not suffer from bandwidth restrictions. Fringe detectors using geometric phase modulation have the potential of greatly increasing the sensitivity of optical stellar interferometers.
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