Surface diagnostics using low-coherence interferometry and colour single CCD camera

We describe in this paper a pilot experiment of a white-light fringe analysis with a low-cost color CCD camera. The used detection technique employs the phase-crossing algorithm which identifies the zero optical path difference as the point where the phase difference between the red, green and blue part of the white-light interference fringe becomes equal to zero. An experimental arrangement is based on superluminescent LED diode. The experimental setup is designed to be a crucial part of the complex system for automatic contactless diagnostic and calibration of gauge blocks.