OREANDA-NEWS. Shvabe Holding's scientists have developed a method for determination of whole orders of polarized beam interference.

The invention of Shvabe - Tech Lab OJSC, a Holding's enterprise, is designed for equipment for inspection of double beam refraction in optical parts. The urgency of this development is caused by the importance of strength and reliability testing of facilities, mechanisms and machines as well as by the significance of research studies in the sphere of ellipsometry, e.g. investigation of surfaces and interfaces of various media (solid, liquid, gaseous) in gas- and hydrodynamics.

"The spectrum of application of the method developed is very broad. It will be demanded in crystal optics, which deals with investigations of the laws of light propagation in crystals and adjoins such science sectors as crystallography, mineralogy, in problem laboratories when working with transparent models of parts for mechanisms and facilities; in using optical methods for visualization of gas flows or liquid flows as well as in laboratory testing of metal and semiconductor surfaces. In general, where it is necessary to provide inspection of elements having double beam refraction", told Nickolai Rakovich, Shvabe JSC's deputy general director for R&D and innovative development.

The method that has been improved by Shvabe's specialists allows to confidently determine the whole orders of interference. It is easier and more reliable due to the use of simple Senarmont compensator, a device containing a polirizer and a quarter-wavelength plate. Using well-known sophisticated expensive compensators one can commit gross errors in determination of the interference orders. THe new method will help the researchers and equipment manufacturers that need to measure the double beam refraction in optical parts, transparent models, crystals during implementation of their operational activities.