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Fizeau-Laurent surface interferometer

optics

Quick Summary

The Fizeau-Laurent surface interferometer is an optical instrument used to detect imperfections in polished surfaces. It works by splitting a beam of monochromatic light so that it illuminates both a reference plane and the workpiece being tested. The light reflects off both surfaces and recombines, creating a pattern of interference fringes. These fringes act as a contour map of the workpiece's surface, allowing for the identification and removal of defects or deviations from flatness. This method is crucial in the optical industry for ensuring the precision of polished surfaces.1

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