Computer Program for the Analysis of Interferometric Test Data.pdfVIP

Computer Program for the Analysis of Interferometric Test Data M. P. Rimmer, C. M. King, and D. G. Fox The over-all design and capabilities of several proprietary computer programs to reduce and analyze var- ious types of interferometric data are described. The following problems and methods of solution are dis- cussed in greater detail: scaling and mapping errors; generation of artificial interferograms and holo- grams for testing without null lenses; combination of overlapping partial-aperture interferograms; the Ritchey-Common test for flat mirrors; and fitting of interferometric data with orthogonal polynomials. Introduction ment required the ability to add, subtract, average, Interferometric testing has been used extensively and correlate data from several interferograms. The need to test aspheric surfaces, both rotationally since the availability of lasers extended the domains in which interference measurements could be made. symmetric and nonrotationally symmetric, without costly null lenses resulted in the ability to analyze By interfering a beam from the optical system or interferograms with circular or completely irregular surface under test with a perfect reference beam, a pattern of fringes representing one-wavelength changes fringe patterns, subtr