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Michelson Interferometer

This demonstration illustrate a classic interference experiment in physics. A PASCO set that is specifically designedfor this purpose is used in this demonstration. It effectively illustrates how waves interfere when they are in and out of phase at a given location.This demo is part of a lab experiment in physics 221. It basically consists in splitting a laser beam into two rays (with a semitransparent mirror), changing the path traveled by one of the resulting rays (with the help of a movable mirror), recombining the rays, and projecting the recombined beam on a screen. A micrometer is used to move the mirror, which allows a precise variation on the length of the path travel by the rays.
ID: d0025
Set up time:
10-15 min in the prep room + 5 in the classroom.
Requires:
Electric outlet Components.
Notes:
You may need assistance the first time you use this demo.It takes a bit of practice to get a nice interference pattern.It is better to set the interferometer in a way that the interference pattern can be projected over a large screen or on a wall rather than overthe little screen that attaches to the optical base.
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Table of Components

Qty. name location notes
1 Precision Interferometer PASCO kit W107; North East Cabinets; U1
1 Optical Bread board W106; Central Shelves;
1 red Laser W106; North Cabinets; U4-L2
1 Laser support for bread board W106; Central Shelves; Clear Box
1 3/4 in aluminum slab, with duct tape stripes W106; Central Shelves; to raise the PASCO kit on the Bread Board.
1 extension cord W106; North Drawers; U2
1 electrical stripe W106; North Drawers; U3
1 large carrying car with flat top W106