MICHELSON’S INTERFEROMETER

Adjustment:-

1. Heave the fixed mirror (on yourright hand side) unchanged its position

on the linear scale is about 10.5 cm.

2. Set the position of the moving mirror (in front of Y) at 11.0 cm on the

linear scale attached to it.

3. Remove the green filtering and also the convergent lens from the path

of light entering the interferometer.

4. Set the position of the telescope in such a manner that the image of the

source is located at the cross point of the two cross wires. The

telescope should be set for receiving parallel rays before making the

above setting. In this position the axis of the telescope should be

perpendicular to the plane of the moving mirror.

5. Insert the convergent lens between the source and the interferometer.

You should be able to see coloured fringes in the form of concentric

circles.

6. If the fringes are not circular the axis of the telescope should be

rotated suitably to make the fringes circular. The instrument is now

ready measurement.

7. The plane of the moving mirror has been already adjusted to be

perpendicular to that of the fixed mirror. In case the contrast of the

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fringes pattern is not good an adjustment of the fixed mirror

orientation in needed. In such a situation the coller of the instrument

should be removed for adjustment of the fixed mirror. These are three

screws attached at the back of the fixed mirror andinaddtion there are

two screws which provide slow changes in the orientation angle of the

mirror. You should change the orientation with the help of slow

motion screws only. Before making this adjustment, however you

should consult the teacher.

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 MICHELSON INTERFEROMETER

Object:-

i) To determine the wave length of the yellow, Radiation of Na-are

by means of Michelson Interferometer.

ii) To determine the wavelength difference between the two yellow

lines of Na-are.

Theory:-

The many forms of Michelson’s Interferometer are alike in that the

amplitude of a wide beam of light is divided into two parts by means of a

semitransparent plate. The form which Michelsion adopted as most useful

for a variety of purposed is illustrated fig.1 Here the division of amplitude is

effected by the place P1, a plate of glass with parallel surfacces, one side of

which is usually lightly coated with metal so as to divide the intensity of the

beam into two equal parts Half the light is thus transmitted to the plane

mirror M2 and the other half reflected to the plane mirror M 1. The plane

parallel plate P2 is cut from the same plate as P 1 but is not metallically

coated. It is placed between P 1and M2 parallel to P1. So that the optical paths

KNM1K & KM2K contain the same thickness of glass. This is important

whenever observation are made of fringes due to the light of many

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wavelengths (for example white light) since the index of retraction of glass

varies with the wavelength.

The interference is observed at w. hence the light from M 1& M2a

appears to have originated in two virtual image planes situated in the

neighborhood of M1. We may consider one the virtual image planes to be

M1. Let M be like wise, the plane which replaces mirror M 2 in the field of

view, then virtual image due to the light from M 2 must be in the plane M11

which makes an angle with M1 twice that between M1 and M. thus for

purposed of analysis the mirrors M1 and M2 are replaced.

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bytwo virtual image planes M1 and M11 and the interferometer is considered

as a pair of plane wave fronts with an air space between them. If the distance

from P1 to M1 and P1 to M2 are not equal and if M1 and M2 are not at right

angles, these wave fronts will be s shown in fig.3. It is described to find the

character of the fringes formed at some point P. the first step is to find the

path difference between the two virtual wave fronts.

The following notation will be used

D = The distance from a point P1 where

The interference fringes are formed perpendicular to the planes M 1

and M11 which must for the production of fringes be at common

perpendicular.

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24 = The small angle between the surfaces in a plane perpendicular to their

line of intersection. The plane in which the angle lies will depend upon the

adjustment of the two mirrors M1 and M2

δ = The angle between the perpendicular D and the line joining Panda.

i = the projection of the angle on a place containing 2.

θ = The projection of the angle on a place perpendicular to that containing 2.

∆ = the difference of path

Between the distance a1P and b1P.

2 to = the distance a0b0

2t = the distance a1b1

The lines Pbo and a1b1 are two

Parallel lines which define a plane in which the angle, δ lies, hence

∆ = a1b1cosδ =2t cosδ .............................................................(i)

But 2t = 2 to + a1C tan 2∅ or since a1C = D tani t = to + D tan ψ tan i

Or t = to + D tan ψ tani

To a sufficient degree of approximation since the angles are small.

Substituting this value of t in equation (i)

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Δ = (2 to + 2D tan ψ tani) cosδ .........................................................(ii)

D D
δ= =
Cos Pa1 1

(D 2 2 2
+ D tan + D tan
1
2
)
2 2
θ

2(¿+ D tanψ tani)

Thus we see that the pah and the phase difference between the two

beams a1P and b1P may vary over the area of the wave front contributing to

the fringe at P and the phenomenon of interference may be obliterate if the

size of the angles ψ , i and θ are restricted sufficiently so that the maximum of

Δ ω in or less a single phase will predominate and the fringes will be distinct.

In most cases the pupil of the eye places a sufficient restriction on ‘i’ and θ,

provided, it is at a suitable distance from the interferometer so, that the

fringes are easily seen. Sometimes the use of a pin nole in front of the eye

will improve the visibility of the fringes.

The distinctness of the fringes:-

δΔ
∧δ Δ
The fringes will be most distinet when δΔ are both zero
δi

imposing on equation.

(3) these two conduction gives

¿ tani
D= ............................................................................(iv)
tanψ

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or

¿ tani
D=
tanψ

For the distance between P and the Position of the surface for which

the fringes will be most [Link] examination of equation (4), shows that

if to=0 then D=0 and the fringes will be best at the surface f B if fig (2). This

means that if the eye is placed at normal reading distance from the mirror B,

the fringes will appear distinct when the lengths of the optical paths in the

two arms of the interferometer are the of the wave front is sufficiently

restricted in a direction perpendicular to the intersection of the two wave

fronts so that no troublesome conflusion of phase exists. If ψ is zero, the

wavelengths are parallel, that is the mirrors are at right angles if also to is

zero the optical paths in the two arms of the interferometer are same and also

the mirros are perpendicular and over the entire field the two wave fronts

will cancel each other. Of ψ and i have the same sign. D is positive and the

fringes are formed in front of the mirror B if they have opposite signs D is

negative and the fringes like behind B.

The form of fringes:-

Any point on the plane where the fringes are formed may be described

by the equation

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x=D tani
y=D ta nθ }
.........................................................................(v)

Substituting these values in euqtion (3), we obtain the general equation for

the form of the interfere fringes,

Δ 2 y 2=x 2 [ 4 D 2 tan2 ψ− Δ2 ] + D [ 4 ¿2−Δ 2 ] + 8 D2 ntanψ ¿ ....................(vi)

Mn analysis of this equation shows that fringes take the forms of

straight lines circles, parabolas, ellipses or hyperbola, depending on the

values assigmedto Δ∧ψ . The complete theory will not be discussed here,

certain details are however worth the instrument.

For Q eqution (vi) becomes,

x= ¿
tanψ

Which is the equation of a straight line. This is the central fringe of the

system of fringes obtained with a white light so, those on the either side of it,

corresponding to Δ very small will be curved in opposite direction on either

isde of the central fringes although the curvature is not noticed for the few

fringes which occur with a white light source. The curvature is carcely

noticable with a monochromatic field of the instrument unless Δ is large

enough to correspond to about 100 fringes from the central fring. By moving

the mirror M1 back and fourth rapidly about the position for Δ=0 , the

rectangle of curvature may be detected. This more ever constitutes one

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method of finding approximately the centre of the fringe system. With the

position form, thus determined white light may be substituted for the

monochromatic source and the mirror moved very slowly untill the white

light fringes come into the field of view.

If ψ=0 equation (vi) becomes,

D 2 ( 4 t 0 2−Δ2 )
2 2
x +y = 2
..............................................................................(viii)
Δ

Which is the equation of a circle. Hence when the virtual source images are

parallel, the fringes will be circular in form. As Δ becomes small the

diameters of the circles will become large until for Δ ≅ 0 the entire field will

be either dark or bright.

Procedure:-

A striking feature of the Michelson’s Interferometer in the screw

which displaces M1 (Fig.4). in the apparatus the screw has a length of

200mm and a pitech of 1mm. the head of the screw in furnished with a scale

divided into one hundred parts is thus corresponding to one hundredth of a

mm. the screw may be rotated by the handle seen infront of the apparatus.

The small liver on the right of the front of the apparatus puts into action the

slow motion screws one turn of which corresponds to on division head of the

main screw. As the head of the slow motion screw divided into one hundred

parts, it is possible to record a of the mirror of one ten thousandth of a mm.

infront of it a sheet of T in with a small hole in its and adjust the hole to lie

on the level of the center of the mirrors and the plates. Also place the Green

filter immediatly in front of the hole.

Hook in the direction AB (Fig.1) and observe four images of the

circular hole. The reason for obtaining the four images is best by reference to

fig.4.

The emergent rays are marked P1, P2, P3, P4 and it will be noted that P2

passes through the glass plates three times so also does P 1. Thus if the rays

are make to coincide they will be in a condition to annual or reinforce each

other according as the path difference is even or odd mambers of half

wavelengths.

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 The rays P3 and P4tranverse the plates five times and once

respectively.

Adjust the mirror M1 so that the four images coincide two by two.

(The mirror M2 has not to be touched as it has been adjusted permanently).

Keep the position of the mirror M 1 and 14mms on the scale approximately.

The above adjustments can be done with the help of the three screw provided

at the back of the fixed mirrors, by re placing a telescope in front of P 1 (For

finer adjustment larger screws should be used).

Putaconverging a concerning lens in between the Green filter and P 1

and adjust the longer screw to get the circular fringes on the cross wires of a

per focused telescope. Rotate the slow-motion screw and watch the

movement of the fringes across the field of view counting the number which

seen to pass the cross-wires of the telescope and observing from the scales

how for the mirror M1 has moved.

When M1 moves back a distance & the path difference between the

two rays which unit to interfere has been increase by 2 & 50 that where a

particular frige originally appeared the neighbouringfring how apparently

lies.

Thus if M1 moves a distance ‘l’ the number of fringes which appear to

move past the cros-wires is correspondingly 2l/l

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Ie. N = 2l/l ............................ (i)

If these are counted since ‘l’ can be measured we can find l.

The distance moved for 500 fringes should be found out in the manner

shown in table-1.

(ii) Determination of wavelength Difference

Theory procedure:-

Make the preliminary adjustments to get circular fringes as outlined

above. Replace the green filter with the given yellow filter. Two sets of

fringes which arise from the two ways will be found to be overlapping each

other but if M1 is slowly moved away there is a gradual separation of the two

sets and finally the bright band of the one lies over the dark band of the

other, but if M1 is slowly moved away there is a general separation of the

two sets and finally away here is a gradual separation of the two sets and

finally the bright band of the one lies over the dark band of the other. This

happens when the distance that M1 had moved from the first position

contains one more quarter of a wave of the one than of the other for than a

difference of phase correspond to one half wavelength has been added to one

more than to the other or to put it otherwise, let ‘l’ denote the distance

moved by M1 the additional air path added to each wave incident on M 1 is

thus ‘2l’.

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Suppose ‘2l’ contains M1 waves of length λ 1 and M2 of the length λ 2. The

difference between n1 and n2 is one half.

Suppose for the sake of difinition that

N1> n2 and consequently λ 1 λ 2.

2l
Then since n1= λ and
1

2l
n2 =
λ2

2l ( λ1 − λ1 )= 12
1 2

1 1 1
− =
λ 1 λ2 4 l

If the two waves had equal intensity the field of view will become

uniformly illuminated and the fringes would seem to disappear.

In this case, since one of the lines is more intense then the other we

get on alternation in distinctiness, the brighter fringes still stand out in

contrast with the adjust less bright ones.

Note the positions of M1 at the begining and successively at positions

where fringes become least distinct and again distinct as M 1 goes further

aways and the path difference contains one complete wave more of one

colour than of the other. Do theis for as many cases as possible and if ‘d’

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denotes the distance between the positions of M 1 in which two sucessive

distinct or nondistinct sets of fringes occur we have,

1 1 1 λ2 −λ1 λ 2−λ1 1
− = ∨ ≅ 2
=
λ 1 λ2 2 d λ1 λ2 λ 2d

2
λ
λ 2−λ1=
2d

Where λ is the mean of two wavelengths of yellow line.

Taking the wavelength of yellow radiation of Na-5890A 0Caleulate the

difference between λ 2 and λ 1 by measuning the distance between the two

positions of M1 which give minima (uniform illumination position). Distance

moved by mirror M1 for 5 minima should be found act as indicated in table-

2.

Important instruction:-

1) Neither the silvered Glass surfaces nor the plane mirrors should be

touched with hand.

2) Ratate the screws behind the mirror M2 Gently.

Precaustion:-

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 Count the fringes very carefully as the fringes will found to be

disturbed by the slightest vibration of the table on which the instrument has

been placed.

Table-1

(A) For the calculation of wavelength of light source

Ob No. No of Main scale Circular Total Diff. of

fringes reading scale reading 500

passed reading fringes

1 0 - - -

2 100 - - -

3 200 - - -

4 300 - - -

5 400 - - -

6 500 - - -

7 600 - - -

8 700 - - -

9 800 - - -

10 900 - - -

Table-2

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 (B) Determination of the position of minima

Ob No. No of Main scale Circular Total Diff. for 5

minima reading scale reading minima

reading

1 Ist

2 IInd

3 IIIrd

4 IVth

5 Vth

6 VIth

7 VIIth

8 VIIIth

9 IXth

10 Xth

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