Michelson Interferometer

( Division of Amplitude)

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 Experimental set up

Albert Abraham Michelson

(1852-1931)

Michelson Interferometer
This instrument can produce both types of interference
fringes i.e., circular fringes of equal inclination at infinity and
localized fringes of equal thickness
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 Michelson
Interferometer
Mirror 1

Monochromatic
light source

Mirror 2
Compensation
plate

Beam splitter

Fringe Pattern
Effective arrangement of the interferometer
An observer at the detector will see M1, a reflected
Circular fringes image of M2(M2//) and the images S’ and S” of the
source provided by M1 and M2. This may be
represented by a linear configuration.
Longitudinal section –Circular fringes (general treatement)

P
∠ PS 'S ≈ ∠ PQ S =θ m

N
rn

θm S O
Q
S′
2d
D

S ' P − SP ≈ S ' N ≈ 2d cos θ m =

mλ Condition of maxima
(without any reflection)
θm2 (for small θm)
cos θ m ≈ 1 −
2
 For small θm θmmλ 2
1− =
2 2d

Central bright fringe 2d = m0 λ (Note: There is no reflection here)

(m0 − m)λ nλ
θ ≈
2
m = (n =
m0 − m)
d d
Radius of mth bright ring

D nλ 2
r ≈Dθ =
2
m
2 2
m
d
Internal reflection implies that the reflection is from an
interface to a medium of lesser index of refraction.

External reflection implies that the reflection is from an

interface to a medium of higher index of refraction.

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 Mirror 1

In Michelson interferometer
(when the phase change of ray 2 is considered) Ray 1

Ray 2

2d cos θ m = mλ (m = 0,1,2,...) : Minima

Mirror 2
Note: Ray 2
 1 experiences an
2d cos θ m =  m + λ (m = 0,1,2,...) : Maxima additional π phase

 2 chance due to
external reflection
and as a result the
conditions of
Order of the fringe: maxima and minima
are exchanged
When the central fringe is dark the order of the fringe is
2d
m=
λ
As d is increased new fringes appear at the centre and the existing
fringes move outwards, and finally move out of the field of view.

For any value of d, the central fringe has the largest value of m.
Fringe shape

Central dark fringe

2d = mo λ

1st dark ring

θ1 (m0 − 1)λ
2d cos=
2nd dark ring
θ 2 (m0 − 2)λ
2d cos=

And so on.............
 In Michelson interferometer
2d cos θ m = mλ

For central dark fringe: 2d = mo λ

θ1 (m0 − 1)λ
The first dark fringe satisfies: 2d cos=

θ12
For small θ cos θ1 ≈ 1 −
2
 θ12  θ1
2d 1 −  =( m0 − 1) λ D
 2 

dθ = λ Dλ 2
r ≈Dθ =
2
2 2 2
1
1 1
d
Radius of first dark fringe
The mth dark fringe satisfies: 2d cos θ
= m (m0 − m)λ

 θ m2 
2d 1 −  =( m0 − m) λ dθ m2 = mλ (2d = mo λ )
 2 
mth dark ring
Radius of mth dark ring:

dθ ≈ mλ
2
m θm
D mλ 2
r ≈Dθ =
2
m
2 2
m
d

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Michelson interferometer Michelson interferometer
with compensator without compensator

M2 M2

S S

M1 M1

Condition for central dark spot Condition for central bright spot
2d = m0 λ (θ = 0 ) 2d = m0 λ (θ = 0 )

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 Measurement of wavelength of light

2dcosθ m = mλ
2d = m0 λ (θ = 0 )
Move one of the mirrors to a new position d’ so that the order of the
fringe at the centre is changed from mo to m.

2d ′ = mλ
2 d′ − d =m − m0 λ =∆mλ
∆d
λ=2
∆m