1. Main stage
2. Side stage
3. Light source
4. Post holder
5. Beam expander
6. Post holder
7. Post holder
8. Fixed mirror
9. Presetting micrometer
10. Beam splitter
11. Compensator
12. Movable mirror
13. Fine micrometer
14. Post holder
15. Alignment holes
16. Post holder
Fringe image acquired by color camera
Features
Smooth mirror movement
Precise measurements
He-Ne Laser, Sodium-Tungsten Lamp, and Air Chamber Included
Optional VGA Video Camera for Fringe Image Display and Projection
Introduction
The Michelson interferometer is an important instrument in today's physics laboratories and is often the first to be introduced to students for understanding beam interference, an important wave property of light. The Michelson interferometer produces interference fringes by splitting a beam of monochromatic light so that one beam strikes a fixed mirror and the other is incident on a movable mirror. When the reflected beams recombine, an interference pattern is produced. Michelson interferometer can be used for observing interference fringes and precisely measuring wavelength, distance and index of refraction. Using an optional color camera, interference fringes can be acquired to a VGA display or a projector for real-time lecture demonstration, or to a PC for image or video acquisition via USB ports.
The instruction manual contains comprehensive materials including experimental configurations, principles and step-by-step instructions. Please click Experiment Theory and Contents to find more information about this apparatus.
Using this instrument, the following experiment examples can be conducted:
1. Interference fringe observation
2. Equal-inclination fringe observation
3. Equal-thickness fringe observation
4. White-light fringe observation
5. Wavelength measurement of the Sodium D-lines
6. Wavelength separation measurement of the Sodium D-lines
7. Measurement of the refractive index of air
8. Interference fringe acquisition by color camera for VGA display or projector or PC (optional)
Specifications
| Description | Specifications |
| Flatness of Beam Splitter and Compensator | 0.1 λ |
| Coarse Travel of Mirror | 10 mm |
| Fine Travel of Mirror | 0.25 mm |
| Fine Travel Resolution | 0.5 μm |
| Weight | Approx. 20 kg |
| Dimension | 350×350×245 mm |
| Sodium-Tungsten Lamp | Sodium lamp: 20 W; Tungsten lamp: 30 W adjustable |
| He-Ne Laser | Power: >2.0 mW; Wavelength: 632.8 nm |
| Air Chamber, Pump with Gauge | Chamber length: 80 mm; Pressure range: 0-40 kPa |
Camera with VGA Port (Optional) | Sensor size: 1/4" |
| Resolution: 1280 × 1024 | |
| Pixel size: 2.8 μm × 2.8 μm | |
| Bit: 8 | |
| Output format: VGA | |
| Length measurement on screen with crosshairs | |
| Function setting & operation: via keypad and menu |
Part List
| Description | Qty |
| Interferometer Main Frame | 1 |
| Ground Glass Screen | 1 |
| Alignment Aperture | 1 |
| Sodium-Tungsten Lamp with Power Supply | 1 set |
| He-Ne Laser with Power Supply | 1 set |
| Air Chamber with Gauge | 1 set |
| Manual Counter | 1 |
| CMOS VGA Camera with Mount & Keypad (Optional) | 1 set |
1. Main stage
2. Side stage
3. Light source
4. Post holder
5. Beam expander
6. Post holder
7. Post holder
8. Fixed mirror
9. Presetting micrometer
10. Beam splitter
11. Compensator
12. Movable mirror
13. Fine micrometer
14. Post holder
15. Alignment holes
16. Post holder
Fringe image acquired by color camera
