title: One-beam interferometer by beam folding.
abstract: A novel one-beam interferometer based on beam folding is described. The device resembles a Mach-Zehnder interferometer in which the two arms are located together in one collimated beam. Different halves of the same beam interfere with the help of a mirror--with its reflecting surface along the axis of the optical system--placed near the focal plane of the imaging lens. Phase-delay control is achieved by application of an electrical potential to a Pockels cell, which permits the use of techniques of phase-stepping interferometry.
authors.affiliation: Facultad de Ingeniería, Instituto de Física, Montevideo, Uruguay. jferrari@fing.edu.uy
authors.forename: José A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Ferrari
authors.forename: Erna M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Frins