Fringe localization depth.
We calculate the complex degree of coherence for any interferometer in which there is amplitude division and simple interference. We consider the exact optical path length differences between both branches. We find that, when there is a localization surface, this degree of coherence is equivalent to the complex optical disturbance at the image of an aberrated isoplanatic optical system. Moreover, we show that the radius of the central lobe at the diffraction pattern of this equivalent system is the distance between rays when visibility is zero. This distance enables us to evaluate localization depth and adjustment tolerance.
Simon
J M
JM
Comastri
S A
SA