Vanishing tilt-to-length coupling for a singular case in two-beam laser interferometers with Gaussian beams

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that tilt-to-length coupling in two-beam laser interferometers with Gaussian beams disappears under specific conditions, due to the cancellation of two opposing effects, enhancing measurement precision.

Contribution

It reveals a singular case where tilt-to-length coupling vanishes, providing a theoretical explanation for this phenomenon in two-beam Gaussian interferometers.

Findings

Tilt-to-length coupling vanishes for identical beams with full detection.

Numerical observations confirmed the cancellation effect.

The effect is explained by opposing effects of equal magnitude.

Abstract

The omnipresent tilt-to-length coupling in two-beam laser interferometers, frequently a nuisance in precision measurements, vanishes for the singular case of two beams with identical parameters and complete detection of both beams without clipping. This effect has been observed numerically and is explained in this manuscript by the cancellation of two very different effects of equal magnitude and opposite sign. This paper was published in Applied Optics and is made available as an electronic reprint with the permission of OSA. The paper can be found at the following URL on the OSA website: [http://www.opticsinfobase.org/ao/abstract.cfm?URI=ao-54-5-1010]. Systematic or multiple reproduction or distribution to multiple locations via electronic or other means is prohibited and is subject to penalties under law.