Applications of wavefront division interferometers in soft x rays

Abstract

The development of soft x-ray interferometry demands high quality optical elements and high brightness sources. However, the balance between these two requirements depends on the exact nature of the interferometer setups. Generally speaking, amplitude division interferometers require beam splitters, the optical quality of which remain a big technological issue. On the contrary, the high brightness sources needed by wavefront division interferometers are readily available, and will progress in the near future. Examples of such interferometers are given for various applications in development or in project.