Ultrahigh precision measurements of optical heterogeneity of high quality fused silica

J. M. De Freitas*, M. A. Player

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

14 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

We present ultrahigh precision measurements of the optical heterogeneity of high quality fused silica at the δn=10-8 index level. The measurements were made with a unique scanning heterodyne interferometer developed as part of the Gravity Probe-B Program. Striae of refractive index variation Δn<10-7 (optical path difference smaller than 5 nm) are clearly visible on an extended heterogeneity background of around Δn=6×10-7. Both striae and extended heterogeneities are repeatable to within a few parts in 108. These results show the nature and extent of the heterogeneities of high quality vitreous silica.

Original languageEnglish
Article number3352
Number of pages1
JournalApplied Physics Letters
Volume66
Issue number26
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Dec 1995

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