PIRA 6D40.10 Interferomoters: Michelson interferometer
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Photo Shows the Demonstration Used at the University
of Texas at Austin.
Instructions / Notes:
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Michelson interferometer shown above is for a large classroom.
- This version of a Michelson interferometer utilizes:
- a 5 mW laser
- a double-prism beam splitter
- 2 front surfaced mirrors
- a 10X objective lens from a microscope to slightly expand the exit beams.
Room lights must be dimmed for students to see the projected interference fringes, shown below.
At the bottom-right of each mirror is a horizontal adjusting screw to move each reflected laser beam to the left or right.
Photo shows the interference pattern with both reflected laser beams overlapped. (Notice that the room lights have been dimmed.)
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Demo staff: Please set up the demo cart so it is about 6 feet from the wall or one of the white prep-room doors, so the class can see the merged beams.
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Small adjustments in the mirrors or noise in the room will greatly alter the interference fringes.
Last Updated 3/10 - University of Texas at Austin Physics Dept.
- All Rights Reserved.
