Abstract

Closed mathematical expressions are developed for the Fabry-Perot interferometer with finite apertures for both noncoherent and coherent illumination. For most practical cases these expressions are substantially equivalent but reveal more serious aperture effects than the approximate theoretical treatment of Geiger. The effects expected are of particular importance in problems involving either compound interferometers or high reflection coatings. However, even at low reflectivities significant reductions in peak intensity and resolution are to be expected. The conditions for obtaining a 99% efficient interferometer are expressed in terms of the reflectivity and aperture parameters. These expressions, still limited by the assumptions of smooth, plane parallel films, suggest modifications to the usual applications of the interferometer.

© 1956 Optical Society of America

The Effect of Finite Aperture on the Fringe Intensity Distribution of Fabry Perot Interferometers*

Felix E. Geiger
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 39(3) 249-251 (1949)

Spectrophotometry by Means of the Fabry-Perot Interferometer

P. Jacquinot and R. Chabbal
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 46(7) 556_1-557 (1956)

A Modification of the Fabry-Perot Interferometer

R. C. Machler and Russell A. Fisher
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 25(9) 315-319 (1935)

The Compound Fabry-Perot Interferometer*

D. H. Rank, R. P. Ruth, and K. L. Vander Sluis
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 41(5) 351-353 (1951)

Fabry-Perot Interferometers in a Parallel Arrangement

L. Sturkey
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 30(8) 351-354 (1940)