Vectorial shearing interferometer

The vectorial shearing interferometer is based on the Mach-Zehnder configur ation; it incorporates a displacement shearing system composed of a pair of wedge prisms that modify the optical path difference and the tilt of the s heared wave front with respect to that of the reference wave front. Variabl e shear and tilt can be implemented along any direction by choice of displa cements Delta x and Delta y. The number of fringes and their orientation ca n be controlled with the vectorial shear. Knowledge of the prescribed displ acements in the x and the y directions permits one to obtain a phase gradie nt in any direction. (C) 2000 Optical Society of America OCIS codes: 220.10 00, 220.4840, 220.4830, 120.3180, 120.4820.