Design of a nonnull interferometer for aspheric wave fronts

The presence of highly aspheric wave fronts in an interferometer leads to a need for system calibration, and this calibration requirement affects the design of the interferometer. Dynamic range, vignetting, and the ability to characterize components all must be considered during the design stages. The interferometer must be designed with respect to wave-front propagation as opposed to reference sphere aberrations. A nonnull interferometer for measurement of aspheric transmitted wave fronts has been developed, and the design process is described. Transmitted wave fronts for a conformal window and a progressive-addition bifocal lens have been measured to demonstrate the applicability of the system to aspheric testing. (C) 2004 Optical Society of America.