Page 3 - Table of Contents; Section; Michelson
012-07137A Precision Interferometer i Table of Contents Section Page Copyright, Warranty, and Equipment Return ................................................... ii Introduction ...................................................................................................... 1 Equipment .........
Page 4 - Equipment Return; ii; Copyright Notice; Copyright, Warranty, and Equipment Return; Please
Precision Interferometer 012-07137A Equipment Return Should the product have to be returned to PASCO scientific for any reason, notify PASCO scientific by letter, phone, or fax BEFORE returning the product. Upon notification, the return authorization and shipping instructions will be promptly issued...
Page 5 - Introduction
1 012-07137A Precision Interferometer Introduction The OS-9255A Precision Interferometer provides both a theoretical and a practical introduction to interferometry. Precise measurements can be made in three modes: Michelson The Michelson Interferometer is historically important, and also provides a ...
Page 6 - Equipment; Additional Equipment Required –
Precision Interferometer 012-07137A 2 Equipment The OS-9255A Precision Interferometer includes the following equipment: 5 kg Base with built-in micrometer Adjustable Mirror Movable Mirror Beam Splitter Compensator Plate (2) Component Holder Viewing Screen Lens, 18 mm Focal Length Diffuser...
Page 8 - Interference Theory; Theory of Operation; The Michelson Interferometer; Figure 1. Michelson Interferometer
Precision Interferometer 012-07137A 4 Interference Theory A beam of light can be modeled as a wave of oscillating electric and magnetic fields. When two or more beams of light meet in space, these fields add according to the principle of superposition. That is, at each point in space, the electric a...
Page 9 - The Twyman-Green Interferometer; NOTE: Using the Compensator
5 012-07137A Precision Interferometer In this way the original beam of light is split, and portions of the resulting beams are brought back together. Since the beams are from the same source, their phases are highly correlated. When a lens is placed between the laser source and the beam-splitter, th...
Page 10 - The Fabry-Perot Interferometer; Setup and Operation; Suggestions for Additional Experiments; To set up and align your PASCO Laser:
Precision Interferometer 012-07137A 6 The Fabry-Perot Interferometer In the Fabry-Perot Interferometer, two partial mirrors are aligned parallel to one another, forming a reflective cavity. Figure 4 shows two rays of light entering such a cavity and reflecting back and forth inside. At each reflecti...
Page 11 - Figure 5. Aligning the Laser; Michelson Mode; Shooting; Figure 6. Michelson Mode Setup
7 012-07137A Precision Interferometer OS-9255A PRECISION INTERFEROME -5 0 5 10 15 25 30 ADJUSTABLE MIRROR MICHELSON, TWYMAN-GREEN BEAM SPLITTER MICHELSON COMPENSA TO R MICHELSON 18 mm FL LENS VIEWING SCREEN MICHELSON, TWYMAN-GREEN 1 div = ➤ NOTE: For ease of installation the placement of the individ...
Page 13 - Calibrating the Micrometer; Maintenance; Demonstrations; Tips on Using the Interferometer; Counting Fringes; Accurate Fringe-Counting
9 012-07137A Precision Interferometer 5. The slip ring at the base of the micrometer knob adjusts the tension in the dial. Before making a measurement, be sure the tension is adjusted to give you the best pos- sible control over the mirror movement. Calibrating the Micrometer For even more accurate ...
Page 14 - Sources of Experimental Error; Troubleshooting; Micrometer Spacer Replacement; Component Specifications
Precision Interferometer 012-07137A 10 Sources of Experimental Error Backlash Although PASCO's carefully designed mirror movement reduces backlash considerably, every mechanical system is susceptible to backlash. However, the effects of backlash can be practically eliminated by using proper techniq...
Page 15 - Experiment 1: Introduction to Interferometry
11 012-07137A Precision Interferometer OS-9255A PRECISION INTERFEROMETER -5 0 5 10 15 25 30 ADJUSTABLE MIRROR MICHELSON, TWYMAN-GREEN BEAM SPLITTER MICHELSON COMPENSA TO R MICHELSON 18 mm FL LENS VIEWING SCREEN MICHELSON, TWYMAN-GREEN 1 div = 1 MICRON Experiment 1: Introduction to Interferometry Fig...
Page 16 - Analysis; Part I; Questions
Precision Interferometer 012-07137A 12 6. Record d m , the distance that the movable mirror moved toward the beam-splitter according to your readings of the micrometer knob. Remember, each small division on the micrometer knob corre- sponds to one µm (10 - 6 meters) of mirror movement. 7. Record N, ...
Page 17 - Experiment 2: The Index of Refraction of Air; Figure 2.1. Index of Refraction versus Gas
13 012-07137A Precision Interferometer Experiment 2: The Index of Refraction of Air EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Basic Interferometer (OS-9255A) Laser (OS-9171) Laser Alignment Bench (OS-9172) Interferometer Accessories (OS-9256A) Rotational pointer, Vacuum cell, Vacuum pump Introduction In the Michelson ...
Page 18 - Analyzing Your Data
Precision Interferometer 012-07137A 14 4. Be sure that the air in the vacuum cell is at atmospheric pressure. If you are using the OS-8502 Hand- Held Vacuum Pump, this is accomplished by flipping the vacuum release toggle switch. 5. Record P i , the initial reading on the vacuum pump gauge. Slowly p...
Page 19 - Experiment 3: The Index of Refraction of Glass
15 012-07137A Precision Interferometer OS-9255A PRECISION INTERFEROMETER -5 0 5 10 15 25 30 ADJUSTABLE MIRROR MICHELSON, TWYMAN-GREEN B E A M S P LI TT E R M IC H E LS O N C O M P E N S AT O R M IC H E LS O N 18 mm FL LENS VIEWING SCREEN MICHELSON, TWYMAN-GREEN 1 div = 1 MICRON Experiment 3: The Ind...
Page 20 - Data Analysis; Light Principles and Measurements,
Precision Interferometer 012-07137A 16 Data Analysis In principle, the method for calculating the index of refraction is relatively simple. The light passes through a greater length of glass as the plate is rotated. The general steps for measuring the index of refraction in such a case is as follows...
Page 21 - Setup and; Spectral Light Fringes
17 012-07137A Precision Interferometer Twyman-Green Twyman-Green operation gives students a quick, qualita- tive look at how interferometry can be used to test optical components. See Twyman-Green Mode in the Setup and Operation section of the manual. Any distortion of the circular fringe pattern i...
Page 22 - IMPORTANT; Mirror Care; Replacement
Precision Interferometer 012-07137A 18 ä IMPORTANT The Vacuum Cell is not designed to be heated. Index of Refraction for Gases Measure the indices of refraction for various gases. Caution: The PASCO Vacuum Chamber is NOT designed to hold positive pressures. You will need to provide your own gas c...
Page 23 - Replacement Parts; Component
19 012-07137A Precision Interferometer Replacement Parts Component Part No. Interferometer Base 003-05137 Adjustable Mirror 003-03957 Beam-Splitter 003-03956 Movable Mirror 003-03955 Component Holder 003-05161 Compensator 003-03958 Interferometer Manual 012-05187 Vacuum Pump OS-8502 Component Part N...
Page 24 - Answers to Questions
Precision Interferometer 012-07137A 20 Experiment 1: Introduction to Interferometry Teacher's Guide Reference to Analysis (Part II) 1. The laser we used was unpolarized, and does not seem to change polarization with time. 2. No, there was no change. This would support our hypothesis that the laser...
Page 25 - Reference to Procedure
21 012-07137A Precision Interferometer Experiment 2: The Index of Refraction of Air Reference to Procedure 1. The chamber will be properly aligned when the reflec- tions off the front and back end-plates are aligned with each other and with the main interference pattern. (This alignment may actual...
Page 26 - Optics of the; Notes General
Precision Interferometer 012-07137A 22 Experiment 3: The Index of Refraction of Glass Reference to Procedure 1. The glass plate must be absolutely perpendicular to the laser for accurate measurement of the index of refrac- tion. When the plate is perpendicular, there will be a faint secondary frin...
Page 27 - Technical Support; Feedback
23 012-07137A Precision Interferometer Technical Support Feedback If you have any comments about the product or manual, please let us know. If you have any suggestions on alternate experiments or find a problem in the manual, please tell us. PASCO appreciates any customer feedback. Your input helps ...
