Promising version of the three-objective multipass matrix system

Since they were described in Refs. [1, 2], multipass matrix systems have found extensive application in various areas of science and engineering. They provide the longest optical path lengths within a small volume with linear control of the number of beam passages. In the present paper a modified three-objective multipass matrix system is considered. The system is used equally successfully both in high-resolution spectroscopy and in metrology as well-controlled delay lines of pulse optical signals. New potential applications offered by the system that favorably distinguish it from its known analogs are also discussed. (C) 2002 Optical Society of America.