Methods and apparatus for reducing error in interferometric imaging measurements

1. A method for reducing error in interferometric fringe stability and reproducibility in an interference fringe generator, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a light source;

positioning a diffraction grating to receive light from the light source, the diffraction grating producing a plurality of diffraction orders therefrom; and

positioning a projection lens having a focal length F to receive light from the diffraction grating and to project an interference fringe pattern of the received light upon an object of interest positioned substantially at a distance d 1 from the lens, wherein the lens is positioned substantially at a distance d 2 from the diffraction grating and d 1 , d 2 , and F are related by d 2 being approximately equal to d 1 F/(d 1 −F).

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of selecting two diffraction orders of the plurality of diffraction orders.

3. An optical system for reducing error in interferometric fringe stability and reproducibility in an interference fringe generator, the system comprising:

a light source;

a diffraction grating positioned to receive light from the light source, the diffraction grating producing a plurality of diffracted orders therefrom; and

a lens for projecting fringes having a focal length F to receive light from the diffraction grating and to project an interference fringe pattern of the received light upon an object of interest positioned substantially at a distance d 1 from the lens, wherein the lens is positioned substantially at a distance d 2 from the diffraction grating and d 1 , d 2 , and F are related by d 2 being approximately equal to d 1 F/(d 1 −F).

4. The apparatus of claim 3 further comprising a device for selecting two diffraction orders.