Phys221L

Michelson Interferometer

Introduction:
In the year 1881 A.A. Michelson designed and built his interferometer as means to test for the
existence of ether, a hypothesized medium in which light propagated. The null result of that
experiment essentially disproved the existence of ether. Michelson’s interferometer has become
widely used for measuring the wavelength of light, for measuring extremely small distances, and
for investigating optical media.

Fig. 1 A Michelson Interferometer

Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this lab session, students should be able to:
1. Explain changes in fringes observed with a Michelson interferometer caused by mirror
movements.
2. Explain changes in fringes observed with a Michelson interferometer caused by changes
in medium.

1
 3. Do quantitative measurement of each of the following: the wavelength of the laser used,
the index of refraction of air, and the index of refraction of glass.

Equipment:
A Michelson interferometer base with a built-in micrometer, a movable mirror, an adjustable
mirror, a beam splitter, an 18mm lens, a vacuum pump with gauge, a vacuum cell, a rotating
pointer, a glass plate, Vernier Calipers, a high sensitivity light sensor, and an hp counter.

Fig. 2 Setup Equipment

Setup:
The Michelson interferometer is a precision instrument that produces interference fringes by
splitting a light beam into two parts and then recombining them after they have traveled different
optical paths. The figure below depicts the interferometer and the path of the light beam from the
source S. The beam strikes the half-silvered mirror M, where half of it is reflected and the other
half is transmitted. The reflected light travels to the movable plane mirror M 1, where it’s
reflected back through M to the observer. The transmitted half of the original beam is reflected
back by the stationary mirror M 2 and then toward the observer by M .

2
Fig. 3 (a) The Michelson Interferometer (b) A planar view of the interferometer

Because both beams originate from the same point on the source, they are coherent and therefore
interfere. Since the two line beams were initially in phase, their relative path difference depends
on the difference in the length of their optical paths.
The path difference of the two beams when they recombine is 2 d 1−2 d 2, where d 1is the distance
between M and M 1, and d 2 is the distance between M and M 2. Suppose this path difference is an
integer number of wavelengths mλthen constructive interference occurs and a bright image of the
point on the source is seen at the observer. Now the light from any other point on the source
whose two beams have this same path difference also undergoes constructive interference and
produces a bright image. The collection of these point images is a bright fringe corresponding to
λ
a path difference of mλ. When M 1is moved to a distance d= , this path difference changes by λ,
2
and each fringe moves to the position previously occupied by an adjacent fringe. Consequently,
by counting the number of fringes N passing a given point as M 1is moved, an observer can
measure minute displacements that are accurate to a fraction of a wavelength as shown by the
Nλ
relation d= (1)
2

3
The speed of light through a medium depends on the
index of refraction of the medium. If one of our
interference beams traverses a section of vacuum while
the other interference beam traverses only air, the two
beams will add up out of phase.

A vacuum cell is placed between the beam splitter and

the movable mirror. Air is pumped out of the vacuum cell
so fringe transitions occur. The fringe shifts indicate that
light going through the vacuum cell has gained on the
light that did not (because of its greater speed in
vacuum). For a number N of fringe transitions, the
difference in the index of refraction is given by
Fig. 4 Vacuum cell positioning
Nλ
∆ n= (2) where λ is the wavelength of the light
2L
in vacuum and L is the length of the vacuum cell. Equation (2) represents the change in the index
of refraction from air to partial vacuum.
Assuming that the shift is linear, we extrapolate the data to determine ∆ n0 between air and
P ∆n
complete vacuum. We simply set up a proportion: =
P atm ∆ n 0
, ∆ n0 is the change in index
P
between air and total vacuum. ∆ n0=∆ n atm , substituting equation (2) into this gives
P

Nλ Patm
∆ n0 = ,
2L P

Nλ P atm
so n0 =1+ (3)
2L P

To measure the index of refraction of glass, a glass plate of thickness t is placed in the path of
the second beam. The length of glass through which the interferometer beam passes is slowly
varied by tilting the glass plate through an angle θ.
The index of refraction of glass is given by

(2 t−Nλ)(1−cos θ)
n glass= (4)
2 t ( 1−cos θ )−Nλ

4
Procedure:
Laser Adjustment:
If you cannot view clearly the interference fringes on the screen, do the following:
1. Make sure that the laser beam is parallel to the interferometer base.
2. Adjust the height of the interferometer base so that the laser beam, without a lens in front
of the source, hits the movable mirror at its center.
3. You will see two bright spots and other minor less bright spots. Using screws at the back
of the fixed adjustable mirror, make these spots coincide.
4. Mount the convex (18 mm) lens between the laser source and the beam splitter. You will
see clear interference fringes.

Important notice: Donot touch the lab bench while doing the measurement,
the setup is very microphonic; any slight vibrations will introduce extra counts.

Activity 1: Determination of the laser wavelength λ

1. Turn the micrometer knob four full turns counterclockwise, continue turning until the
zero on the knob is aligned with the index mark. N.B. Your turn should be continuous!
2. The distance d (in μm) that the movable mirror moved toward the beam-splitter is the
reading from the micrometer knob. Record d and N, the number of fringes that passed,
which you record on the counter. Repeat the experiment four more times.
3. For each trail, calculate the wavelength of the light using equation (1). Calculate the best
estimate along with its uncertainty.
4. Compare with the accepted value of the HeNe laser λ=632.8 nm. Comment.

Activity 2: Index of refraction of air measurement

1. Attach the vacuum cell inside the rotational pointer using the magnetic backing, and put
the combination in the slot between the movable mirror and the beam splitter.
2. Adjust the alignment of the fixed mirror as needed so the center of the interference
pattern is clearly visible on the viewing screen. The fringe pattern will be somewhat
distorted by irregularities in the glass end-plates of the vacuum cell.
3. Squeeze the trigger of the handheld vacuum pump so that you remove air from the
vacuum cell. You should see the fringe pattern shift as air is pumped out. You can fill the
cell with air again by flipping the vacuum release toggle switch on the pump.

5
 4. Make sure before you start pumping air out of the vacuum cell that the reading on the
vacuum pump is zero.
5. Pump the air out of the vacuum cell. Do multiple pumps to reduce the air pressure as far
as the pump can achieve.
6. Record the pressure that your pump has reached (in Pa).
7. Reset the counter. Fill the cell with air again by flipping the vacuum release toggle switch
on the pump. Record the number that you read on the counter, this is the number of
fringes N.
8. Calculate the index of refraction of air using equation (3)

Activity 3: Index of refraction of glass measurement

1. Attach the glass plate to the rotational pointer using the magnetic backing and put the
combination in the slot between the movable mirror and the beam splitter.
2. Position the pointer so that its “0” edge on the Vernier scale lines up with the zero on the
degree scale on the interferometer base.
3. To find the angle on the degree scale that corresponds to zero, and this is the point for
which the beam is perpendicular to the glass plate, start with the pointer at the −5° and
move it to the right until you reach your zero. This is the point at which the moving
fringes change direction. Start counting at this point.
4. Do the necessary minor adjustments to view a clear interference pattern on the screen.
5. Slowly move the lever arm. Count the number of fringe transitions that occur as you
rotate the glass plate by an angle θ (at least 10 degrees)
6. Measure the thickness of the glass plate using the Vernier Calipers. Repeat this
experiment five times. Each time calculate n glassusing equation (4). Calculate the best
estimate of n glassalong with the uncertainty.