Michelson interferometer – High Resolution
With the aid of two mirrors in a Michelson arrangement, light is brought to interference. While moving one of the mirrors, the alterationin the interference pattern is observed and the wave length of the laser light determined.
- Learn about the measurement principle with which gravitational waves can be observed
- Assemble your own interferometer using invidual optical components
- Find out that even lasers have limited coherence length
Lens, mounted, f +20 mm
Optical base plate with rubber feet
He/Ne Laser, 5 mW with holder
Magnetic foot for optical base plate
Adjusting support 35 x 35 mm
Surface mirror 30 x 30 mm
Interferometer plate with precision drive
Holder for diaphragms and beam splitters
Lensholder for optical base plate
Photoelement
Beam splitter 1/1, non polarizing
Screen, white, 150×150 mm
Measuring tape, l = 2 m
DMM, auto range, NiCr-Ni thermocouple
- Construction of a Michelson interferometer using separate components.
- The interferometer is used to determine the wavelength of the laser light.
- The contrast function K is qualitatively recorded in order to determine the coherence length with it.
- Interference
- Wavelength
- Diffraction index
- Speed of light
- Phase
- Virtual light source