- #1
angrystudent
- 6
- 1
Hello.
Let's suppose that we have a Michelson interferometer to study interference patterns of light. This time we use plane waves.
If we set the whole thing up so that the two separated beams have a phase difference of π when they superpose, destructive interference ensues. Since we're talking about plane waves propagating in the same direction, no interference pattern can be observed: the only output is darkness.
Where does the energy go in such a case?. It looks like electromagnetic energy disappears in the process, but I see no way it could be absorbed or deflected, instead of simply being "destroyed".
Let's suppose that we have a Michelson interferometer to study interference patterns of light. This time we use plane waves.
If we set the whole thing up so that the two separated beams have a phase difference of π when they superpose, destructive interference ensues. Since we're talking about plane waves propagating in the same direction, no interference pattern can be observed: the only output is darkness.
Where does the energy go in such a case?. It looks like electromagnetic energy disappears in the process, but I see no way it could be absorbed or deflected, instead of simply being "destroyed".