In a Michelson interferometer, what happens to the fringe pattern if one of the

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Question: In a Michelson interferometer, what happens to the fringe pattern if one of the mirrors is moved away from the beam splitter? (2020)

Options:

Correct Answer: Fringe pattern moves to the right

Exam Year: 2020

Solution:

Moving one mirror changes the path length, causing the fringe pattern to shift to the right.

In a Michelson interferometer, what happens to the fringe pattern if one of the mirrors is moved away from the beam splitter? (2020)

In a Michelson interferometer, what happens to the fringe pattern if one of the mirrors is moved away from the beam splitter? (2020)

Step 1: Understand that a Michelson interferometer splits a light beam into two paths using a beam splitter.
Step 2: Know that each path reflects off a mirror and then returns to the beam splitter.
Step 3: Realize that when the mirrors are in place, the two light beams combine to create a fringe pattern (light and dark stripes).
Step 4: When one mirror is moved away from the beam splitter, it changes the distance that one of the light beams travels.
Step 5: This change in distance alters the phase of the light waves when they recombine at the beam splitter.
Step 6: As a result, the interference pattern (fringe pattern) shifts, which can be seen as moving to the right.

Interference and Path Length – The fringe pattern in a Michelson interferometer is affected by changes in the optical path length due to mirror movement.
Fringe Shift – Moving a mirror alters the interference conditions, resulting in a shift of the fringe pattern.