Michelson interferometer theory pdf free

Michelson designed and built an interferometer using a similar principle. Pdf investigation of michelson interferometer for volatile organic. Chapter 21 handbook of optics photonics research group. Haniff the theory of interferometry 24th july 2006 preamblepreamble learning interferometry is like learning any new skill e. It is characterized in a proofofprinciple experiment using synchrotron. Using a michelson interferometer to measure coefficient of thermal expansion of copper. Interferometers are used to precisely measure the wavelength of optical beams through the creation of interference patterns. Introduction to the theory of optical interferometry.

You will ultimately derive the wavelength of the light source from your measured interference pattern. Pdf the sensor device is required to monitor harmful gases in the. They are mounted vertically on two rigid holders placed at the sides of a flat metal stand. The michelson interferometer has also been used to provide evidence for the special theory of relativity, to detect and measure hyper. This thesis is brought to you for free and open access by lehigh preserve. Balmer line of the hydrogenspectrum was composed of two components separated by only 0. The ratio of the free spectral range to the width of the fringes at half maximum. The michelson interferometer is a historically important device which provides simple interferometric configuration, useful for introducing basic principles. A sample student lab manual is available as an online sup plement.

The instruments based upon the principle of interference are called interferometers. The objective of this experiment is to demonstrate the interference pattern obtained from combining coherent monochromatic light beams using a michelson interferometer setup. As shown in fig 3, the fringe spacing and the plane of localization. Introduction this interferometer was originally designed by a michelson for the accurate spectral analysis of light sources. Pdf an extreme ultraviolet michelson interferometer for. Hariharan di y ision of applied physics csiro sydney, australia 2 1. Both beams recombine at point c to produce an interference. It can be used to carry out the following principal measurements.

You have to want to learn you start by crawling, then you walk, then you run. The michelson interferometer is historically important, and. Michelson interferometer the michelson interferometer has also been used to provide evidence for the special theory of relativity, to detect and measure hyperfine structure in line spectra, to measure the tidal effect of the moon on the earth and to provide a substitute standard for the meter in terms of wavelengths of light. Hecht, optics, addison wesley chapter 9 in the 4th ed. These are basic optical tools used to precisely measure wavelength.

At the same time, the three free elements present stu dents with a. For example, using the instrument he was able to show that the red h. Michelson interferometer is a precision instru ment capable of. The applicability of this michelson interferometer at intense freeelectron lasers is. The michelson interferometer among other interferometer configurations is employed in many scientific experiments and became well known for its use by albert michelson and edward morley in the famous michelson morley experiment 1887 in a configuration which would have detected the earths motion through the supposed luminiferous aether that most physicists at the time believed was the medium in which light waves propagated. The beamsplitter is now mounted in between mlitors mj and mi on a manual. Two weights for all experiments with michelson interferometer. Theory division, cern, ch1211 geneva 23, switzerland.

Theory the main features of the interferometer are shown schematically in figure 1. In fig 2, a source s emits light that hits the beam splitter in this case, a plate beamsplitter surface m at point c. Differences in the velocity of light along 2 different directions. Lengths or displacements in terms of wavelengths of light. The general theory of relatively predicts the existence of gravitational waves. Pleasefeel free to duplicate this manual subject to the. Theory of operation the michelson interferometer in 1881, 78 years after young introduced his twoslit experiment, a. Michelson interferometer because it has a sharper and clearer interference. M is partially reflective, so part of the light is transmitted through to point b while some is reflected in the direction of a. Originally michelson designed his interferometer as a means to test for the existence of the ether, a hypothesized medium in which light propagated.