Question

1. Explain how does the michaelson interferometer work

2. What can you use michaelson interferometer for

3. What was michaelson interferometer first used to clarify medium for light propagation>?

Answer 1

1. The Michelson interferometer works by splitting a beam of monochromatic light into two equal amplitude beams. One beam hits a fixed mirror and the other hits a movable mirror giving different beam lengths which converge on a detector screen giving an interference pattern.

2. There are advantages to using a Michelson Interferometer. One of them is that it is very simple to set up, needing only a beam splitter, two mirrors, a light source and optionally a detector, which are all available in shops or online. Another advantage is that if it is set up correctly, the results are most precise, enough so that versions of Michelson Interferometers have been used to take recordings of the distance of stars and the cosmic microwave background

3. First, Michelson interferometer used to determine the existence of ether. If the ether is exist they can detect the variations in the direction Propagation of the lights.