OPTICAL INTERFEROMETER

optics. SUBSTANCE: invention is related to facilities designed to examine internal structure of objects. Variants of given optical interferometer are characterized by maximum efficiency of utilization of power of optical radiation source with optimum signal-to-noise ratio. According to one variant based on Michelson interferometer direction of polarization of optical radiation passing through light splitter in backward direction is changed to orthogonal as compared with direction of polarization of optical radiation passing through light splitter in forward direction which is provided by placement of proper polarization switches into measurement and reference arms of optical interferometer. Light splitter used in interferometer is polarization-sensitive. It makes it feasible to establish splitting factor of light splitter per each polarization proceeding from best signal-to-noise ratio with preset power of optical radiation source. In correspondence with another variant based on Michelson interferometer light splitter is non-reciprocating one, that is, its splitting factors in forward and backward directions can be different. One modification of this variant can use source of polarized optical radiation. In this case non-reciprocating light splitter is realized by way of placement of two polarization switches into it whose function is similar to function of polarization switches placed in measurement and reference arms of first variant of designed optical interferometer. Another modification can also utilize source of non-polarized optical radiation. In this modification non-reciprocity of light splitter is provided thanks to usage of joint action of optically active element and Faraday element on optical radiation passing through these elements in forward and backward directions. Realization of balance reception both in first and second variants of developed optical interferometer provides for maximum efficiency of utilization of power of optical radiation source with optimum signal-to-noise ratio. EFFECT: maximum efficiency of utilization of power of optical radiation source. 33 cl, 7 dwg