Michelson Interferometer Demo
Michelson Interferometer Image
Michelson Interferometer Demo
Michelson Interferometer Demo
Michelson Interferometer Demo

 

Code Number: 6D40.10

Demo Title: Michelson Interferometer

Condition: Excellent

Principle: Interference of Light

Area of Study: Optics

Equipment:

 Laser (2 to 5 mw.), Beam Expander, Michelson Interferometer, Small Paper Screen, and Video Camera.

Procedure:

Shine the expanded beam of the laser into the interferometer. Make sure the laser is lined up squarely with the interferometer. When correctly lined up a circular interference pattern will appear on the screen. By changing the path length of the one leg of the interferometer with the control knobs or by just blowing air across one of the mirrors you can observe the fringe shifts. Interference fringes can also be produced using a single mirror.

References:

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6D40.10 - Michelson Interferometer
University of Maryland Physics Department QOTW Question #225
University of Maryland Physics Department QOTW Answer #225
6D40.10 - University of Maryland QOTW Answer #225 Mirror Moving Outward
6D40.10 - University of Maryland QOTW Answer #225 Mirror Moving Inward
6D40.10 - University of Maryland QOTW Answer #225