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OPTICAL INTERFEROMETER, NAME: NUR AMIRA ASYIKIN BINTI SHAMSUDDIN, MATRIC…
OPTICAL INTERFEROMETER
Introduction
- An optical device in which two or more light waves are combined together to utilizes the effect of interference.
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- Interferometers frequently need to be made from high quality optical elements. For example, one often uses mirrors and optical flats with a high degree of surface flatness.
- Divides a beam light into a number of beams that travel unequal paths and whose intensities, when reunited, add or subtract forming interference fringes
Information derived from fringe measurements is used for:
- Precise wavelength determinations
- Measurement of very small distances and thicknesses
- The study of spectrum lines
- Determination of refractive indices of transparent materials
Michelson Interferometer
Working Principle
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works on the principle of interference of light by the division of amplitude in light from an extended source is divided into two parts of equal intensity by partial reflection and refraction
Splits light into two beams using a beam splitter. The beams reflect off mirrors and recombine to form an interference pattern.
Applications:
- Tunable Optical Filters
- The optical characteristics are adjusted through the arm length difference.
- Spectral Measurements
- By recording the interference signal during a linear scan of an arm length, one can determine the optical wavelength of the light source (principle of wavemeter)
- Optical Coherence Tomography
- Some Michelson interferometers are intentionally operated with a very broadband light source, so that an interference contrast occurs only near zero arm length difference.
- Chromatic Dispersion Measurements
- The chromatic dispersion of optical elements such as laser mirrors or optical fibers can be measured with white light interferometers of Michelson type.
Sagnac Interferometer
Working Principle
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A Sagnac interferometer operates on the principle of the Sagnac effect, which occurs due to rotation. The interferometer splits a beam of light into two parts that travel in opposite directions around a closed loop.
When the system is stationary, the two beams travel the same distance and recombine in phase. However, when the system is rotating, the path lengths for the beams traveling in opposite directions change relative to each other, resulting in a phase shift that can be measured.
Application
- Rotation Measurement
- Measure rotational movements of the Earth, aiding in the study of seismic activities and Earth's rotational dynamics.
- Gravitational Wave Detection
- Variants of the Sagnac interferometer are explored in gravitational wave observatories to detect minute changes in spacetime caused by gravitational waves.
- Inertial Navigation Systems
- Used in ring laser gyroscopes and fiber optic gyroscopes for precise measurement of rotation, crucial in aircraft, spacecraft, submarines, and autonomous vehicles.
- Phase Modulation
- Used in fiber optic communication systems for phase modulation and demodulation, improving signal processing and transmission accuracy.
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