Optimal phase sensitivity of an unbalanced Mach-Zehnder interferometer

Mach–Zehnder–Fano interferometer

We introduce a concept of the Mach–Zehnder–Fano interferometer by inserting a cavity exhibiting Fano resonance into a conventional interferometer. By employing the scattering-matrix approach, we demonstrate that the transmission becomes sensitive to a position of the cavity such that an asymmetric structure exhibits a series of narrow resonances with almost perfect reflection. We discuss how to...

Harmonic phase-dispersion microscope with a Mach-Zehnder interferometer.

Harmonic phase-dispersion microscopy (PDM) is a new imaging technique in which contrast is provided by differences in refractive index at two harmonically related wavelengths. We report a new configuration of the harmonic phase-dispersion microscope in a Mach-Zehnder geometry as an instrument for imaging biological samples. Several improvements on the earlier design are demonstrated, including ...

The Optics of the Mach-Zehnder Interferometer

Highly stable polarization independent Mach-Zehnder interferometer.

We experimentally demonstrate optical Mach-Zehnder interferometer utilizing displaced Sagnac configuration to enhance its phase stability. The interferometer with footprint of 27×40 cm offers individually accessible paths and shows phase deviation less than 0.4° during a 250 s long measurement. The phase drift, evaluated by means of Allan deviation, stays below 3° or 7 nm for 1.5 h without any ...

All-fiber three-path Mach-Zehnder interferometer.

We report the realization of a three-path Mach-Zehnder interferometer using single-mode fibers and two integrated 3 x 3 fiber couplers. We observed enhanced phase sensitivity, as compared with two-path interferometers, with a visibility of the interference pattern of more than 97%. This interferometer has an analog in two-photon interferometry, and we believe it to be the first nontrivial examp...