Holographic interferometry of phase objects with the aid of a diffuse scatterer in the reference branch

The paper describes a new type of holographic interferometer with the reference beam formed from the signal beam by means of a diffusely scattering screen. The signal beam after passing through the phase object is divided into two beams by means of a cubic prism: the object beam which is directed to the hologram and the reference beam which is scattered by the mat face of the cubic prism. Holograms are recorded by the double exposure method. The effect of shifting the scattering screen between exposures on the interference pattern is examined. Experimental holographic interferometry using the scattering screen was performed with flames from an alcohol burner as phase object and fully confirmed the theoretical study.