Michelson Interferometer

Description

The objective of this experiment is to demonstrate the interference pattern obtained from combining coherent monochromatic light beams using a Michelson interferometer setup. You will ultimately derive the wavelength of the light source from your measured interference pattern.

Experiment equipment on the table and shelf.

Michelson interferometer and oscilloscope.

Lab Guide

Michelson Interferometer Lab Guide (PDF)

References

Abbott, B.P. et al., "LIGO: the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory." Rep. Prog. Phys. 72 076901 (2009).

Michelson, A.A. and E.W. Morley, "This resource may not render correctly in a screen reader.On the Relative Motion of the Earth and the Luminiferous Ether (PDF)." American Journal of Science 34, 333 (1887).

Buy at Amazon Section 9.4 in Hecht, Eugene. Optics. Reading, Mass: Addison-Wesley, 1998. ISBN: 9780201838879.