Fresnel rhombs as achromatic phase shifters for infrared nulling interferometry: First experimental results

One of the most critical units of nulling interferometers is the Achromatic Phase Shifter. The concept we propose here is based on optimized Fresnel rhombs, using the total internal reflection phenomenon, modulated or not. The total internal reflection induces a phase shift between the polarization components of the incident light. We present the principles, the current status of the prototype manufacturing and testing operations, as well as preliminary experiments on a ZnSe Fresnel rhomb in the visible that have led to a first error source assessment study. Thanks to these first experimental results using a simple polarimeter arrangement, we have identified the bulk scattering as being the main error source. Fortunately, we have experimentally verified that the scattering can be mitigated using spatial filters and does not decrease the phase shifting capabilities of the ZnSe Fresnel rhomb.