Interferometric array illuminator with analysis of nonobservable fringes

Interferometric methods for array generation offer various advantages over diffractive methods. Use of polarizing elements in an interferometric array illuminator results in interesting properties in addition to improving the efficiency considerably from low levels. The array pattern appears as nonobservable fringes that can be observed only with a polarizer, and the interferometer is insensitive to one of the tilt components. A thorough analysis of such an interferometric array illuminator is presented in this paper. Several possible applications of such an interferometer in addition to use as an array illuminator are proposed.