Measurement of refractive index homogeneity of parallel optical component

In this paper, we present a method for enhancing the measurement capability of refractive index homogeneity for parallel optical components, which phase-shifting interferometry cannot handle with. With the help of wavelength-modulation phase-shifting interferometry, a series of multiple-surface interference fringes are obtained and analyzed by Fourier transform. Based on the fact that the interference fringe corresponding to each interference cavity has its own variation frequency, the wavefront aberrations induced by each interference cavity are obtained and the refractive index homogeneity is then obtained. It is proved by experiment that the enhanced method can measure the refractive index homogeneity of parallel optical components more accurately and conveniently compared with the traditional measurement approach. Therefore, it will have potential application forwards in optical measurement field.