Abstract

A method for measuring the angle between two nearly parallel surfaces is presented. Convenient to use, the method has ample brightness and sensitivity for use in aligning the various surfaces often found in laser cavities. A cw laser is focused to provide a point source of light which illuminates the two surfaces in question. The reflected light beams form an interference pattern from which the angle between the surfaces can be easily measured. A simple equation is given relating the fringe position to angular separation.

© 1968 Optical Society of America

Measurement of Parallelism of the Surfaces of a Transparent Sample Using Two-Beam Nonlocalized Fringes Produced by a Laser

J. H. Wasilik, T. V. Blomquist, and C. S. Willett
Appl. Opt. 10(9) 2107-2112 (1971)

Note on the Interference Method for Determining the Degree of Parallelism of Laser Surfaces

F. Hillenkamp
Appl. Opt. 10(8) 1982-1983 (1971)

A Measuring Interferometer for High Accuracy Alignment

Robert O. Naess
Appl. Opt. 7(11) 2315-2317 (1968)

Two New Methods of Improving Optical Image Quality

Malcolm J. Bowman
Appl. Opt. 7(11) 2280-2284 (1968)

The Prism-Substrate: a New Tool for Determining an Angle of Incidence

L. B. Emmons and M. P. Givens
Appl. Opt. 7(10) 2127-2129 (1968)