Semi-automated data acquisition-and processing system for a Mach-Zehnder interferometer

A simple image acquisition system for an interferometer and image processing technique are described. In this system, commercially supplied tools are used and specific software is developed to perform a semi-quantitative analysis of interferogram. The computer program written in the C language is developed to carry out the thinning of the fringes. The response of the system is evaluated using the contrast transfer function (CTF). The thinning is carried out by the fringes being acquired into the image processing system and detected the maximum luminosity of the fringes with in a limit of the CTF. These techniques are examined using an interferogram obtained in plasma focus experiment. (author)