Abstract

A method to measure quickly and easily the index of refraction of gases near 10 μm using a Mach-Zehnder interferometer and a discretely tunable CO₂ laser is described. This technique employs the use of two gas cells positioned at 45° to the incident beams in adjacent arms of the interferometer. By translating these cells in a direction perpendicular to the beam direction, a shift in the fringe pattern occurs due to the change in the optical path. Gases investigated include SF₆ and CCl₂F₂.

© 1989 Optical Society of America

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