(Phys 226)
Lab 7: The
Michelson Interferometer:
Finding the Index of Refraction of Air
![interferometer on table](Michelson5.jpg)
![interferometer with attached pump](MIchelson6.jpg)
- Aligning the Mirrors...
- start without a lens near the laser.
![close up of beam splitter in interferometer](Michelson12.JPG)
Here is the same picture, enhanced:
![enhanced beam spliiter and interference image](Michelson13.JPG)
- Adjust the side mirror until the two
- brightest dots are coincident.
- Then place the lens in the lens holder.
![diffraction image in room lighting](Michelson10.JPG)
Here is the same picture, enhanced:
![diffraction circles, enhanced](Michelson11.JPG)
- The micrometer on the side can be used
- to measure the change in position of the
- back mirror. The units are in hundreds of microns.
- The micrometer is currently
- indicating a position of:
- 1 + 0.5 +0.13 = 1.63 (x 100 microns).
![vernier caliper](Michelson14.JPG)