Moire fringe techniques have expanded considerably over the past decade and are now established as important metrological tools. The main reason for this flourishing expansion is the use of the moire fringe method in the common availability of the laser light. This book covers the major theoretical aspects and applications of the moire technique. A concise description of the formation of moire fringes and their interpretation is presented. A comprehensive review of the most important applications of the moire phenomenon is given. Although some of them are still being refined there are already well established applications to moire displacement and alignment sensors, grating interferometry, moire processing of interferograms, moire topography and strain analysis. There is also a discussion on the influence of the types of superimposition on structures and of the type of illumination used on the intensity distribution in moire patterns.

An understanding of moire fringes and of the characteristics of moire patterns, which depend on various optical configurations, is essential for the proper use and control of moire methods. The physical and practical attributes of each technique are clarified throughout. The book will prove most appropriate in meeting the needs of newcomers to the field, as well as those of researchers and technicians who want to acquire a broader view and assessment of particular techniques.