Abstract: An optical interferometer includes a monolithic optical element.

Abstract: A frame, termed a prism frame, is attached to a processing face of a prism assembly and used to hold a position of a compensating waveplate and a microdisplay. The compensating waveplate includes adjustment tabs that allow precise positioning of an orientation of the waveplate (e.g., waveplate angle, rotation, etc) such that it is best positioned to compensate for items like residual retardation and/or skew rays that occur in the kernel. The precise position is varied depending on kernel design and other factors. A microdisplay frame is attached to a microdisplay package. The microdisplay frame is then precisely attached to the prism frame. The microdisplay can be removed from the kernel by sacrificing the inexpensive microdisplay frame.

Abstract: A beam distribution apparatus includes a stack of parallelogram prisms and beam-splitting coatings each located between opposing parallel faces of adjacent parallelogram prisms. The stack is mounted on an entrance face of a triangular prism. The triangular prism includes the entrance face, a reflective face, and an exit face. The reflective face has optical surfaces for shaping output beams from the stack and reflecting the output beams through the exit face. A beam distribution apparatus includes a stack of parallelogram prisms and beam-splitting coatings each located between opposing parallel faces of adjacent parallelogram prisms in the stack. The beam-splitting coatings transmit light of a first polarization and reflect a portion of light of a second polarization. The apparatus further includes retardation plates each mounted on a face of a parallelogram prism adjacent to a beam-splitting coating, and corrective reflective optics for shaping output beams each mounted on a retardation plate.

Abstract: An interferometer system includes a rhomboid assembly having a first optical stack and a second optical stack mounted on the first stack. The first stack includes a first prism having an angled face mounted to an angled face of a second prism. The interface between these angled faces includes a first polarizing beam-splitter. The second stack includes a third prism having an angled face mounted to an angled face of the fourth prism. The interface between these angled faces includes a second polarizing beam-splitter. First, second, third, and fourth wave plate elements are located in beam paths between the rhomboid assembly and at least one of a measurement optic and a reference optic. A redirecting optic is located at least adjacent to the vertical faces of the first and the third prisms.