Orthogonal ray scheme: a method for processing interference patterns and reconstructing the shape of a test convex mirror

Abstract

Abstract This report is devoted to the processing of the interference pattern of the tested mirror, obtained using the orthogonal ray scheme, where the convex testing surface is illuminated by a collimated beam, which is perpendicular to the optical axis of the surface. The interference pattern is created by two wavefronts, one of which is reflected from the mirror, while the other wavefront bypasses the mirror and travels directly to the detector plane. The result of interference pattern processing is a topography map formed by several tangential profiles. The proposed method is suited for large diameter convex spherical and aspherical mirrors and does not require a priori information of surface under the test, such as the vertex radius of curvature and the conical constant. Theoretical foundation of the data processing method are presented.