The N-slit interferometer: an extended configuration

An N-slit interferometer is demonstrated with an intra-interferometric propagation path of up to 35 m. The configuration of the N-slit interferometer was extended to its maximum as allowed by the available grating, laser wavelength, and dimensions of the digital detector. Interferometric computations, based on the application of Dirac's notation, were successfully used to predict the structure and divergence of the propagating interferograms. The high sensitivity of the interferometric signal to intra-path perturbations renders this instrument particularly suitable for detecting and registering clear air turbulence, and variations in the refractive index, in the propagation path.