In a Michelson interferometer, what happens to the interference pattern if one of the mirrors is moved?
Correct Answer: Interference pattern shifts.
- Step 1: Understand that a Michelson interferometer splits a light beam into two paths using a beam splitter.
- Step 2: Each path reflects off a mirror and then returns to the beam splitter.
- Step 3: When the two beams combine again at the beam splitter, they create an interference pattern of light and dark fringes.
- Step 4: If you move one of the mirrors, it changes the distance that one of the light beams travels.
- Step 5: This change in distance alters the phase of the light beam that traveled that path.
- Step 6: As a result, the way the two beams combine changes, leading to a shift in the interference pattern.
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