Novel holographic shearing interferometer for measuring lens lateral aberration

Abstract

A new type of holographic shearing interferometer for measuring lens lateral aberrations is described. In this interferometer a vertical tilt is introduced between the output beams so that the output fringes directly map out the lateral aberration curve of the lens being tested. In addition to this we improve the precision of the interferometer by making it a multiple-beam system through the use of multiple-exposure holograms. The theory of operation of the interferometer is described, and results obtained with an experimental system are presented.