In this paper the optical methods in heat transfer applications are described briefly. In particular, interferometric methods are discussed in detail as applied to the study of natural convection heat transfer. Of the most popular interferometers, viz. the Mach Zehnder Interferometer (mzi) and the Differential Interferometer (di), thedi is considered in detail. The theoretical and constructional features of adi are outlined. The procedures of heat transfer measurement and the temperature profile estimation are explained. The advantages and limitations of the two interferometers are compared with the help of a sample calculation. The experimental analyses of three cases, viz. (1) isothermal vertical flat plate, (2) single vertical fin attached to a heated horizontal base, and (3) horizontal fin array, are described. Typical heat transfer and temperature profile results are presented. Using the estimated temperature profiles isotherms are plotted. It is possible to get fairly good heat transfer and temperature profiles using adi. The instrument is specially useful in applications involving short optical path lengths because of its superior resolution as compared tomzi.