Mach-Zender study : EXP200100
Référence : EXP 200 100
The Mach-Zender interferometer consists of two semi-reflecting plates (beamsplitters) and wo mirrors. A light beam is divided into two, after which both beams are recombined by eans of a semi-reflecting mirror. One of these beams will be named the Reference beam, while the other will allow us to take measurements on the vacuum index or plate thickness.
GLASS SIDE THICKNESS
A thin slide is added, followed by a thicker slide, to one of the arms of the Mach-Zender interferometer.
This slide will introduce into the system a medium with a different optical index, which will modify the optical path of the
beam passing through it. We thus propose viewing the impact of this modification on the interference figure. In this case,
the beam propagated on arm 1 crosses a thin slide that modifies its optical path with respect to the previous case. This new
distance is written as : D’1 = D1 + e (n-1), where n stands for the slide index and e its thickness.
TWO-BEAM INTERFERENCES
The Mach-Zender interferometer is a two-beam interferometer. It operates as follows : The coherent light beam from a laser source is divided into two partial beams by an optical component. These beams follow
different paths, are deflected by mirrors, before coming together again and being superimposed by another optical component. Superimposition of light waves leads to an interference image. If the optical path, i.e. the product between the refractive index and the geometrical path, of one of the beams varies, then a phase shift will occur with the second beam. The result is a modification of the interference image, allowing conclusions to be drawn regarding the modification of the optical path. Unlike Michelson’s interferometer, partial light beams are not reflected on themselves but each follow a specific path until they meet again. Consequently, measurements taken on transparent materials, as for example measurement of the refractive index, are easier to understand and thus clearer for students.
SUBJECTS APPROACHED
»»Glass slide thickness
»»Mach-Zender study
»»Two-beam interferences
NECESSARY EQUIPMENT
| Reference | Description | quantity | | POF020300 | Mach Zender interferometer | 1 | | POD013210 | HeNe Laser | 1 | | POD067040 | 10x Lens | 1 | | POD002192 | Half-moon stand | 3 | | POD010002 | Millimetric metal screen | 1 | | POD060550 | Lens-holder | 1 | | POF020305 | Basic plate holder | 1 | | POD010020 | Superior Caliens Camera | 1 |
Computer is required
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