Michelson Interferometer - Fringe Shape

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the Michelson interferometer, specifically focusing on the formation of fringe patterns and the impact of mirror alignment on these patterns. The original poster is exploring the path difference between light rays and how it relates to the observed fringe shapes.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to calculate the path difference and seeks clarification on the formation of circular versus straight fringes, questioning the role of mirror alignment. Other participants discuss the effects of mirror parallelism on fringe appearance.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing insights into the relationship between mirror alignment and fringe patterns. Some guidance has been offered regarding the conditions for observing circular fringes, but no consensus has been reached.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the assumption that the optics are clean and that the refractive index of the medium is relevant to the calculations. There is an acknowledgment of the original poster's edits regarding the setup and parameters involved.

cupid.callin
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Hi all

attachment.php?attachmentid=42306&stc=1&d=1325256305.png

Edit: The reflecting side is the right side of left slab


Please look at the pic above ... The light from source splits at left slab and goes in 2 directions and come back to interfere.

From figure, it is obvious that path diff. in slabs for both rays is 0
and only path diff. would be because of the difference in distance of 2 mirrors from left slab, which is d

so, i found the path diff, as [itex]\Delta = 2\mu d cos \theta \pm \frac{\lambda}{2}[/itex]

[itex]\frac{\lambda}{2}[/itex] as green ray is reflected by denser medium ...

But i need to know how the circular or straight fringes are formed and how it depends on alignment of M1 and M'2

Some help please ... :)

EDIT: μ would be the refractive index of stuff filled in whole system ... like air for example
and θ is incidence angle angle at slabs ... :}
 

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Some help please ?
 
Oh come on, someone please help me !
 
Perfectly parallel mirrors results in circles if the optics are clean. Else you get what appears to be straight lines but i believe they are just the edges of a circle.
 

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