Interferometry and related technologies are well known and often used in science and industry. Examples are measurements of small distances, determining the index of refraction of gases, testing the optical quality of optical components (e.g., lenses) and measuring the surface roughness with optical profilometers (which are more or less just computerized white light Michelson interferometers).
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A piece of 0.005-in thick mylar film available from suppliers such as RPlastics (http://www.rplastics.com) works quite well.
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