Calculating Maxima in 1-D Wave Interference with a Half-Silvered Mirror

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Monochromatic light of 400 nm wavelength interacts with a half-silvered mirror, directing light to two mirrors, C and D, before reaching a detector. The movement of mirror C by 10 microns alters the path length, affecting the interference pattern observed at the detector. The key to solving the problem lies in calculating the additional path length and determining how many wavelengths fit into that distance. Since the intensity at D starts as a minimum, the number of maxima observed will depend on the total change in path length. Understanding these concepts is crucial for accurately predicting the interference pattern.
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Homework Statement


Monochromatic light of wavelength \lambda = 400 nm enters at A. It impinges on a ‘half-silvered mirror’ B, which directs some of the light to mirror C, while passing the rest to mirror D. Some of the reflected light from mirror C passes back through the half-silvered mirror, where it combines with reflected light from D, arriving at the detector. Mirror C is attached to a micrometer, so that it can be moved to change the path length B − C − B.
If mirror C is moved through 10 microns (1 micron is 10−6 m), how many maxima will be
observed at the detector? Assume that the intensity at D is intially a minimum.


Homework Equations


D(x,t)=asin(kx-wt+\phi_{0}


The Attempt at a Solution


I'm actually not sure how to approach this to begin with, so any advice is appreciated. I've also attached a copy of the diagram. I'm thinking this might have something to do with the path length being x1 and x2
 

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Hi XJellieBX! :smile:

If mirror C is moved through 10−6 m, how much longer does that make the path?

So how many wavelengths is that? And how many maxima will go past?
 
So if I find how many wavelengths that is, which i did find, i can figure out the number of maxima. I'm just not too sure if that is all this question is asking for, but thank you nevertheless =)
 
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