Exploring Interference Patterns: Building and Testing a Michelson Interferometer

[sergyegi]

I would like an outside opinion on something I've been thinking about lately. If one of the outer mirrors on a Michelson interferometer was to be misaligned by a small angle of theta, what would be the shape of the interference pattern in the detector plane? What would happen to this pattern as the other mirror moves?

 

[Bobbywhy]

Do you have access to some simple items to make an interferometer? A laser source, a beamsplitter (microscope slide would do), two first surface mirrors and a white paper screen: and you're there! Build it yourself and try misaligning one mirror. I once saw this setup functioning in a sandbox. The beamsplitter and mirrors were on posts stuck into the sand. Experiment!