Michelson Interferometer, circle fringes

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the Michelson Interferometer and the resulting circular fringe patterns observed on the screen when a laser beam is used. The circular fringes occur due to the interference of light waves that are coherent and have a consistent phase relationship. If the laser beam is not well-collimated, the fringe pattern may appear distorted, resembling the fringes shown in the referenced MIT video. This phenomenon is a direct result of the geometry of the interferometer and the properties of light interference.

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Gab
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Hello guys!

Lets say we have a laser beam and we send it to a michelson interferometer.
Why the beam pattern at the screen gives circles and not lines or something else?

Thanks

P.S.
see for instance
http://techtv.mit.edu/collections/physicsdemos/videos/9823-michelson-interferometer
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Science news on Phys.org
If the beam is not well-collimated, you will get fringes similar to what is displayed.
 

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