Interferometers Based on the Rotational Motion

Abstract

Abstract This review‐type article deals with small, stable, compact, inexpensive, and low‐resolution interferometers mainly based on continuous or back and forth rotational motion to create the optical path difference. These interferometers are suitable for low‐resolution Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The paper introduces the most typical interferometers illustrated with figures. For example, interferometers with retroreflectors such as corner cubes are presented. This work aims at developing a tilt compensated optical design where the optical path difference of the interferometer will be achieved with rotational scanning. The most important property of this optical design is large mechanical tolerances to make manufacturing easy and inexpensive. New interferometers based on rotational motion are described. The mechanical angle tolerances of these interferometers can be up to three orders of magnitude larger than the angle tolerances in commonly used corner cubes.