Michelson Interferometer
Michelson Interferometer
An extended
source S of
monochromatic
light and a lens
L.
M1
M2'
S
A C M2
These two virtual sources are coherent and as a result each pair of
corresponding points are in exactly same phase at all instants.
Consider a point P of the source S. P1 and P2 are the two virtual images of the
point P formed by the reflection from M2'and M1 respectively. Hence P1 and P2
are the corresponding points of the virtual sources S1 and S2 respectively.
M1 M2'
S2 S1 S'
P2 ϴ P1 P
2d d
Let d is the distance between M1 and M2'. Hence, the distance between the
virtual sources S1 and S2 is 2d.
Let ϴ is the inclination of the reflected rays with the normal to surface of M1
and M2'.
Hence, the path difference between the two rays coming to the eye, from the
corresponding points P1 and P2 is 2d cosϴ.
[P2N / P1P2 = cosϴ; ∴ P2N = P1P2 cosϴ, Now, P1P2 = 2d; ∴ P2N = 2d cosϴ]
The intensity will be maximum when 2d cosϴ = m λ
and intensity will be minimum when 2d cosϴ = (2m+1) λ/2
Where, λ is the wavelength of light and
m=0,1,2,3, ………...
d and λ are constants. So, for a given order number m, ϴ will be constant.
Hence, the maxima will be in the form of a concentric circles about the foot of
the perpendicular from the eye to the mirrors.
These fringes are called fringes of equal inclination.
These fringes are situated at infinity. Hence, they are non-localized.
These fringes are curved with their convex side toward the thin edge of the
wedge as shown in the figure. The thin edge of the wedge is to the left and
therefore the fringes are convex toward the left.
As we go on decreasing the separation between M1 and M2', the fringes move
across the field of view away from the thin edge of the wedge and at the same
time gradually become straight. When M1 and M2' intersect, the lines are
perfectly straight as shown in the figure.
We have two wedges opposing each other. So, the line should appear curved on
both sides of the intersection. But for a small field of view, they appear straight.
When M1 is again moved such that the mirror M1 and the virtual image M2' of
mirror M2 get a position as shown in the figure. The fringes are again curved
but with their convex side towards the right. Localized fringes become invisible
for large path differences of the order of several millimetres.
The importance of these white light fringes is that the position of central fringe
can be located very easily as it is dark.