Theoretical background
Dimensional measurements using laser interferometry
Archive REF: R1320 V1
Theoretical background
Dimensional measurements using laser interferometry

Author : Geneviève LIPINSKI

Publication date: July 10, 1995 | Lire en français

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1. Theoretical background

1.1 The wave aspect of light

A ray of monochromatic (single-color), parallel light (plane wave) propagates a sinusoidal electromagnetic vibration whose amplitude is a function of time t :

A = a cos (2 π f t )

with :

a
 : 
complex amplitude
f
 : 
light frequency; this is independent of the nature of the medium in which the radiation propagates, as is the period T = 1/f.

  • The wavelength depends on the medium in...

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