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Ravian
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in michelson interferometer, does amplitude of of two waves is divided. i mean one wave say from fixed mirror has amplitue say A and the wave from moving mirror has amplitude say 0.8A? can we call this coherent source?
The Michelson interferometer is a scientific instrument used to measure the interference of two beams of light. It consists of a beam splitter, mirrors, and a detector, and is commonly used in experiments related to optics and interferometry.
The Michelson interferometer works by splitting a single beam of light into two beams using a beam splitter. These beams then travel to two separate mirrors before being recombined at the beam splitter. The resulting interference pattern can be measured by a detector, which can provide information about the properties of the light, such as its amplitude and wavelength.
The amplitude of the two waves in a Michelson interferometer can provide information about the intensity and phase of the light. This can be useful in various applications such as measuring the refractive index of a material or detecting tiny displacements in objects.
No, the Michelson interferometer can only measure the amplitude of coherent light sources. Coherent light waves have a fixed phase relationship, which is necessary for interference to occur. Non-coherent light sources, such as sunlight, do not have a fixed phase relationship and therefore cannot produce a measurable interference pattern.
Yes, there are some limitations to using a Michelson interferometer. The accuracy of the measurements can be affected by external factors such as vibrations, temperature changes, and air currents. Additionally, the instrument is only suitable for measuring light with a specific range of wavelengths and may not be suitable for all types of experiments.