Mach-Zehnder interferometric system for measuring the refractive indices of uniaxial crystals

We report a new interferometric technique for measuring the ordinary and extraordinary, refractive indices of uniaxial crystals. The technique is based on the measurement of the rotation-dependent phase changes of the optical path length in crystal plates. Accurate measurement of the phase shift as a function of the rotation of the sample is achieved by using a fast-Fourier-transform based fringe analysis method for phase retrieval. The principle of the method is discussed and measurements of the ordinary and extraordinary refractive indices of a lithium niobate crystal are reported.