Laser wavefront analysis with dynamic shearing interferometry

James J. Snyder

doi:10.1117/12.206986

17 April 1995 Laser wavefront analysis with dynamic shearing interferometry

James J. Snyder

Proceedings Volume 2375, Beam Control, Diagnostics, Standards, and Propagation; (1995) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.206986
Event: Photonics West '95, 1995, San Jose, CA, United States

Abstract

We have developed a wavefront analyzer for measuring the complex field distribution of a laser beam using dynamic shearing interferometry. The instrument includes two orthogonal lateral shearing interferometers, CCD cameras to capture the fringe patterns from the interferometers, and a small computer for data capture, analysis and display. The complex field distribution of the laser is found using standard fringe-scanning-interferometer analysis techniques, and can be displayed as a wavefront profile or as an intensity profile, or it can be transformed mathematically to the far field for display as the point spread function of the laser and optical system. In addition to the graphical display, the instrument provides numerical data that characterizes the laser beam, including the intensity distribution, the wavefront shape, and the far-field divergence. We have used the instrument to evaluate the performance and cavity alignment of continuous wave (cw) and pulsed lasers, and as a diagnostic tool to optimally align external optics to a diode laser.

Citation Download Citation

James J. Snyder "Laser wavefront analysis with dynamic shearing interferometry", Proc. SPIE 2375, Beam Control, Diagnostics, Standards, and Propagation, (17 April 1995); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.206986

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KEYWORDS

Wavefronts

Interferometers

Fabry–Perot interferometers

Pulsed laser operation

Interferometry

Shearing interferometers

Cameras

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