Shearing interferometers
Shearing interferometers are optical devices used to measure small displacements or changes in surfaces by analyzing the interference patterns of light. They work by splitting a beam of light into two paths, which are then slightly shifted or sheared before being recombined. This creates an interference pattern that reveals information about the surface being examined.
These interferometers are particularly useful in fields like metrology and optical testing, where precise measurements are crucial. By observing the resulting patterns, scientists and engineers can detect imperfections or variations in materials, making shearing interferometers valuable tools in research and quality control processes.