Michelson's interferometer played an important role in improving our understanding of light, and it has many practical uses today. For example, it may be used to measure distances precisely. Suppose the mirror labeled 1 in the figure below is movable. Light source Detector L A ·L· S G 2 B If the laser light has a wavelength of 640.0 nm, how many fringes will pass across the detector if mirror 1 is moved just 1.160 mm? fringes If you can easily detect the passage of just one fringe, how accurately can you measure the displacement of the mirror? nm

University Physics Volume 3
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Chapter3: Interference
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 48P: A Michelson interferometer has two equal arms. A mercury light of wavelength 546 nm is used for the...
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Michelson's interferometer played an important role in improving our understanding of light, and it has many practical uses today. For example, it may be used to measure distances precisely. Suppose the
mirror labeled 1 in the figure below is movable.
Light
source
Detector
L
A
·L·
S
G
2
B
If the laser light has a wavelength of 640.0 nm, how many fringes will pass across the detector if mirror 1 is moved just 1.160 mm?
fringes
If you can easily detect the passage of just one fringe, how accurately can you measure the displacement of the mirror?
nm
Transcribed Image Text:Michelson's interferometer played an important role in improving our understanding of light, and it has many practical uses today. For example, it may be used to measure distances precisely. Suppose the mirror labeled 1 in the figure below is movable. Light source Detector L A ·L· S G 2 B If the laser light has a wavelength of 640.0 nm, how many fringes will pass across the detector if mirror 1 is moved just 1.160 mm? fringes If you can easily detect the passage of just one fringe, how accurately can you measure the displacement of the mirror? nm
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