A modified commercial scanner as an image plate for table-top optical applications

A reliable, accurate, and inexpensive optical detector for table-top applications is described here. Based on a commercial high resolution office scanner coupled to a projection plate, the detector offers a large image plate surface, allowing recording of sizeable images without systematic errors associated with coupling optics aberrations. Several tests on distance-dependent and steady interference patterns are presented and discussed. The extension to other types of optical measurements by substituting the projection plate is proposed.