SUNY-Geneseo/Physics & Astronomy
Optics and Modern Physics Lab
(Phys 226)
 
Lab 7: The Michelson Interferometer:     
Finding the Index of Refraction of Air

interferometer on table

interferometer with attached pump

Aligning the Mirrors...
start without a lens near the laser.

close up of beam splitter in interferometer

Here is the same picture, enhanced:

enhanced beam spliiter and interference image

Adjust the side mirror until the two
brightest dots are coincident.
Then place the lens in the lens holder.

diffraction image in room lighting

Here is the same picture, enhanced:

diffraction circles, enhanced

The micrometer on the side can be used
to measure the change in position of the
back mirror. The units are in hundreds of microns.
The micrometer is currently
indicating a position of:
 1 + 0.5 +0.13 = 1.63 (x 100 microns).

vernier caliper