36 Engineering Physics

f(u, v). A single detector measures information from a single point in (x, y) space. An interferometer measures
the difference in phase between two points in the (x, y) domain. This corresponds to a single point in the (u, v)
domain. An interferometer builds up a full picture by measuring multiple points in (u, v) space. The image
i(x, y) can then be restored by performing an inverse Fourier transform on the measured f(u, v) data.

1.13.2 Holographic Interferometry (HI)

Holographic interferometry (HI) is a technique that enables static and dynamic displacements of objects
with optically rough surfaces to be measured to optical interferometric precision, i.e., to fractions of a
wavelength of light. These measurements can be applied to stress, strain and vibration analysis, as well as
to nondestructive testing. It can also be used to detect optical path length variations in transparent media,
which enables, for example, fluid flow to be visualised and analysed. It can also be used to generate contours
representing the form of the surface. Holography interferometry is of two types.
(i) Live Holography Interferometry
Holography enables the light field scattered from an object to be recorded and replayed. If this recorded field
is superimposed on the “live field” scattered from the object, then the two fields will be identical. However,
if a small deformation is applied to the object, the relative phases of the two light fields will alter and it is
possible to observe interference. This technique is known as live holographic interferometry.
(ii) Frozen-Fringe Holography
In this holography, it is also possible to obtain fringes by making two recordings of the light field scattered
from the object on the same recording medium. The reconstructed light fields may then interfere to give
fringes, which map out the displacement of the surface.

1.13.3 Electronic Speckle Pattern Interferometry

Electronic Speckle Pattern Interferometry (ESPI), also known as TV Holography, is a technique that uses laser
light together with video detection, recording and processing to visualize static and dynamic displacements
of components with optically rough surfaces. The visualisation is in the form of fringes on the image where
each fringe normally represents a displacement of half a wavelength of the light used, i.e., quarter of a
micrometre or so.

1.13.4 Angle Resolved Low Coherence Interferometry

Angle resolved low coherence interferometry is an emerging biomedical imaging technology that uses the
properties of scattered light to measure the average size of cell structures, including the cell nuclei. The
technology shows promise as a clinical tool for in situ detection of dysplatic or precancerous tissue.

1.13.5 Optical Coherence Tomography

This is a medical imaging technique based on low-coherence interferometry, where subsurface light reflections
are resolved to give tomographic visualisation. Recent advances have struggled to combine the nanometre
phase retrieval with the ranging capability of low-coherence interferometry.

1.13.6 Geodetic Standard Baseline Measurements

A famous use of white light interferometry is the precise measurement of geodetic standard baselines. Here
the light path is split in two, and one leg is folded between a mirror pair 1 m apart. The other leg bounces once
off a mirror 6 m away. The fringes will be seen only if the second path is precisely 6 times the first. Starting