Movable mirror of a Michelson interferometer

AI Thread Summary
To determine how far the movable mirror of a Michelson interferometer must be displaced for 2000 fringes to pass the reference point, one must consider the wavelength of the light source, which is 589 nm. Each fringe corresponds to a path length difference of one wavelength, so for 2000 fringes, the total path length difference is 2000 wavelengths. This results in a displacement of the movable mirror of 1000 wavelengths, or 1000 times 589 nm, which equals 589,000 nm or 589 micrometers. The discussion also briefly touches on a Sagnac interferometer question, but the primary focus remains on the Michelson interferometer calculation. Understanding the relationship between fringe movement and wavelength is crucial for solving this problem.
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i know the question may be a bit stupid to some people, but i seriously don't know how to do it...

Homework Statement


How far must the movable mirror of a Michelson interferometer, illuminated by a 589-nm source, be displaces for 2000 fringes to move past the reference point?


Homework Equations



i have no idea

The Attempt at a Solution



i don't know how to solve it
 
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What's the path length difference associated with 2000 fringes?
 


ideasrule said:
What's the path length difference associated with 2000 fringes?

it does not say, that was the whole question.
 


Yes, but it does tell you the wavelength, and constructive interference occurs when the path length difference is an integer multiple of the wavelength.
 


can anyone answer this question
In Sagnac interferometer replace the beam splitter by a fourth mirror and calculate how many loops around the interferometer can the light make before its intensity is reduced by 99%??
 

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