What happens if you use white light in Michelson interferometer?

The Michelson Morley experiment requires measuring the position of interference fringes. With white light they would all overlap and you wouldn’t be able to determine the location of individual fringes.

What is the effect on the fringes of using white light instead of monochromatic light in Michelson interferometer?

Therefore if monochromatic light in Young’s interference experiment is replaced by white light, then the waves of each wavelength form their separate interference patterns. The resultant effect of all these patterns is obtained on the screen. i.e., the waves of all colours reach at mid point M in same phase.

Why do we use Michelson interferometer?

The Michelson interferometer and its modifications are used in the optical industry for testing lenses and prisms, for measuring index of refraction, and for examining minute details of surfaces (microtopographies). The instrument consists of a half-silvered mirror that divides a light beam into two equal parts,…

What is the Michelson interferometer used for?

The Michelson stellar interferometer is used for measuring the diameter of stars. In 1920, Michelson and Francis G. Pease used it to measure the diameter of Betelgeuse, the first time the diameter of a star other than the sun was measured.

What is the purpose of white light with respect to interferometry?

White light interferometry delivers a 3D-point cloud of the complete field of view. From these data, surface- and form-parameters or volumes can be determined by software algorithms. So basically the optical distance of every surface point is measured relative to a reference surface within the instruments.

What happens when monochromatic light?

Answer White light consists of waves of innumerable wavelengths ranging from violet to red color. So if monochromatic light in Young’s double-slit experiment is replaced by white light, then the waves of every wavelength form their separate interference patterns. So the central fringe is white.

What would happen if white light is used instead of laser light?

White light consists of waves of inumerable wavelengths starting from violet to red colour. Therefore if monochromatic light in Young’s interference experiment is replaced by white light, then the waves of each wavelength form their separate interference patterns.

How shall the pattern change when white light is used in diffraction instead of monochromatic light?

3. How shall the pattern change when white light is used in Fraunhofer Diffraction instead of monochromatic light? Explanation: When white light is used instead of monochromatic light in Fraunhofer Diffraction, then the central maximum remains white as all seven wavelengths meet there in the same phase.

How does Michelson interferometer work?

The Michelson interferometer produces interference fringes by splitting a beam of light so that one beam strikes a fixed mirror and the other a movable mirror. When the reflected beams are brought back together, an interference pattern results.

What is the principle of Michelson interferometer?

Michelson Interferometer Principle In this instrument, light from an extended source is divided into two parts by partial reflection and transmission. These two beams are sent at right angles to each other in the two directions. They get reflected from the mirror and form interference fringes which are observed and investigated.

How is the wavelength of light from a monochromatic source determined?

Using the Michelson interferometer, the wavelength of light from a monochromatic source can be determined. If M 1 is moved forward or backward, circular fringes appear or disappear at the centre. The mirror is moved through a known distance d and the number N of fringes appearing or disappearing at the centre is counted.

How to determine the wavelength of a laser using the Michelson?

To determine the wavelength of a laser using the Michelson interferometer. Laser light source, Michelson interferometer kit, optical bench, meter scale. Interferometers are used to precisely measure the wavelength of optical beams through the creation of interference patterns .

What did the Michelson-Morley experiment prove?

This interferometer, used in 1817 in the famous Michelson- Morley experiment, demonstrated the non-existence of an electromagnetic-wave-carrying ether, thus paving the way for the Special theory of Relativity. A simplified diagram of a Michelson interferometer is shown in the fig: 1. Light from a monochromatic source S is divided by