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Forming Interference Fringes

Bruce H. Walker

This article will deal with the ways in which these fringes are formed and how they can be interpreted to determine the optical quality of the piece under test. As an example, we will examine in some detail the performance of an optical window, as it transmits a piano (radius = infinity) wave front. Understanding of the concepts developed can then be easily applied to other more complex elements, such as lenses and mirrors.