Two-lens anisotropic image-inversion system for interferometric information processing

Abstract

Interferometric image processing systems based on image inversion normally use multiple paths with inversion mirrors. Since such systems must meet strict requirements of alignment and stability, a common-path implementation using polarization channels and six anisotropic optical elements was recently introduced. We demonstrate here the operation of a common-path polarization-based image-inversion interferometeric system using only two anisotropic lenses. Applications such as spatial parity analysis and image centroid measurements are examined theoretically and demonstrated experimentally.