Tandem interferometry used to measure the group dispersion of optical components

We present a simple white-light spectral-domain technique based on tandem interferometry that employs a low-resolution spectrometer for a direct measurement of the group dispersion of optical components over a wide wavelength range. The technique utilizes a tandem configuration of a Michelson interferometer and an unbalanced Mach-Zehnder interferometer with a component under test inserted into one arm and the other arm with adjustable path length. We resolve the spectral interference fringes when suitable path length diff;erence is adjusted in both interferometers. From the recorded spectral interference signals, the equalization wavelength is determined for which the overall group optical path difference between the beams is zero. By measurement of the equalization wavelength as a function of the path length difference adjusted in the Mach-Zehnder interferometer, the group dispersion of a glass sample is determined and agreement is confirmed with measurement using a Michelson interferometer only.

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