A method for measuring two-dimensional refractive index distribution with the total internal reflection of p-polarized light and the phase-shifting interferometry

Based on the total internal reflection of p-polarized light and the phase-shifting interferometry, an alternative method for measuring the two-dimensional refractive index distribution of a material is presented. The p-polarized light is incident on the boundary between a right-angle prism and a tested material. When the total internal reflection occurs at the boundary, and the p-polarized light has a phase variation. It depends on the refractive index of the tested material. Firstly, the two-dimensional phase variation distribution of the p-polarized light at the boundary is measured by the four-step phase shifting interferometric technique. Then, substituting the data into the special equations derived from Fresnel equations, the two-dimensional refractive index distribution of the tested material can be obtained.