A Convenient Way to Determine the Optimum Angle of Incidence of Fizeau Interferometer

In a Fizeau interferometer, off-axis illumination will lead to fringe optimization. Primarily due to the unique structure of our interferometer, we first analyze the influence of the optical properties of the parallel plate as a part of the interferometer on the optimal incident angle. Generally, the incident angle determination is mainly based on the graphing method proposed by Langenbeck and the estimation formula proposed by Kajava. However, Langenbeck’s method is cumbersome, and the error of Kajava’s estimation formula is large. Based on the predecessors, this paper proposes a modified method of determining the optimal angle of incidence and further derives more accurate optimal angle expressions than Kajava’s. By simply substituting the wedge angle of the wedge cavity and the reflectivity of the cavity, the optimum incidence angle can be obtained immediately. Thus, it eliminates the tedious and complex process of finding the optimum incident angle by graphing method and makes the formula method the simplest method to find the optimum incident angle. Finally, the comparison of the interference intensity at the optimum incidence angle calculated by the improved method and normal incidence is given. It is found that the beam has a good suppression effect on the sub-peak when it is incident at the optimum incident angle calculated by the method in this paper.