By: Lakshay Saini

ME-6th Sem
 Overview

 Flatness Testing

 Formation of interference fringes

 Preparation

 Monochromatic Light

 Errors

 Wringing
 An optical flat is an optical-grade piece of glass
lapped and polished to be extremely flat on one or
both sides.

 Are used with a monochromatic light to determine

the flatness.

 Phenomenon similar to thin-film interference.

 An optical flat is usually placed upon a flat surface to be
tested.
 A monochromatic light is used to illuminate the work piece,
such as helium, low-pressure sodium, or a laser.
 then a series of dark and light interference fringes will form.
These interference fringes determine the flatness of the work
piece.
 If both surfaces are perfectly the same flatness and parallel to
each other, no interference fringes will form.
If the gap between the surfaces is not
constant, this interference results in a
pattern of bright and dark lines or
bands called "interference fringes" being
observed on the surface.

•Constructive interference: Where the path

difference between the two rays is equal to an odd
multiple of λ/2 of the light waves, the reflected
waves will be in phase, so the "troughs" and “crest"
of the waves coincide. Therefore, the waves will
add and the resulting light intensity will be greater.
As a result, a bright area will be observed there.

•Destructive interference: Where the path

difference is equal to an even multiple of a half-
wavelength, the reflected waves will be 180° , so a
"trough" of one wave coincides with a “crest" of the
other wave. Therefore, the waves will cancel and
the resulting light intensity will be weaker or zero.
As a result, a dark area will be observed there.
 Both the optical flat and the surface to be tested need to be
extremely clean. The tiniest bit of dust settling between the
surfaces can ruin the results.
 Most commonly, Acetone is used as the cleaning agent,
because it dissolves most oils and it evaporates completely,
leaving no residue.
 Testing is often done in a clean-room or another dust-free
environment, keeping the dust from settling on the surfaces
between cleaning and assembly.
 The testing is usually done in a temperature-controlled
environment to prevent any distortions in the glass, and
needs to be performed on a very stable work-surface.
 For the best test-results, a
monochromatic light, consisting of
only a single wavelength, is used to
illuminate the flats. To show the
fringes properly.
 Optical flats are extremely sensitive to temperature changes,
which can cause temporary surface deviations resulting from
uneven thermal expansion.

 The glass needs to be hard and very stable, and is usually

very thick to prevent flexing.

 The slightest bit of pressure can cause the glass to flex

enough to distort the results. Therefore, a very flat and stable
work-surface is also needed, on which the test can be
performed.

 Sometimes the test may be performed on top of another

optical flat, with the test surface sandwiched in the middle.
 Wringing occurs when nearly all of the air becomes forced out
from between the surfaces, causing the surfaces to lock
together, partly through the vacuum between them.

 If two surfaces are very flat, they may become wrung

together so tightly that a lot of force may be needed to
separate them. . If the surfaces are clean and very flat, they
will begin to wring almost immediately after the first contact.

 After wringing begins, as air is slowly forced out from

between the surfaces, an optical wedge forms between the
surfaces.