Adaptive interferometry of speckled waves in photorefractive crystals using polarization self-modulation

We propose a new interferometric technique for the linear detection of small out-of-plane vibrations of rough surfaces. The technique is based on the polarization self-modulation effect in photorefractive crystals and does not primarily involve light diffraction. The signal-to-noise ratio of the measured system is approaching to that of the classical homodyne interferometer. The system possesses the large field of view and it is adaptive to slow environmental changes. The technique has number of advantages compare with photorefractive two-wave mixing.