Interferometric sensor and method to detect optical fields

A method for generating diversity information from an input optical field comprising samples separated by empty regions, the method comprising:

• generating diversity information from the samples in the input optical field through use of a diversity fan out device, wherein the generating includes fanning out images of the samples, together with a copy of a first sample image of the sample images placed at least partially in an empty region between the sample images, on a substantially common optical path;
• providing interferometric diversity information on the substantially common optical path by providing at least partial overlap between at least two of:
• the copy, any of the sample images, and a second optical field;
• and
• estimating, through interferometric algorithms applied to the diversity information and parameterized based upon said fan out device at least one of the following properties of at least one of the samples:
• phase, amplitude, state of polarization and spectral content.

A method for generating diversity information from an optical field comprising samples separated by empty regions, the diversity information including at least some interferometric image elements, the method comprising:

• imaging the samples of the optical field into sample images;
• splitting at least one of a wavefront and an amplitude of the sample images produced by said imaging to produce at least one additional copy of a first a sample image of the sample images, the copy of the first sample image and the sample images being created along a substantially common optical path,
• positioning the copy at least partially in a space between the sample images;
• and
• providing at least partial overlap between at least two of:
• the copy, any of the sample images, and a second optical field.