Measurements of an interferometric measurement system are corrected
for variations of atmospheric conditions such as pressure, temperature, and turbulence
using measurements from a second harmonic interferometer (SHI). A ramp, representing
the dependence of the SHI data on path length, is removed before utilizing the
SHI data. The SHI may include a passive Q-switched laser as a light source and
Brewster prisms in the receiver module. Optical fibers may be used to conduct light
to the detectors. A mirror reflecting the measurement beams has a coating of a
thickness selected to minimize the sensitivity of the SHI data to changes in coating thickness.