Mach Zehnder Interferometer

Interferometer is built by assembling the building blocks on a breadboard as per desired optical layout. Optics and laser head are held using kinematic mounts with two axis fine adjustment facility. Precision alignments for obtaining the interference fringes are done using kinematic mounts.

One of the simplest experiments using the interferometer is measurement of index of refraction of air with an airtight test cell placed in one of the optical arms of the interferometer. No other factor such as convective airflow, should be present, that can generate optical path differences. The flexibility in fringe localization is one of the important advantages of the mach zehnder interferometer over other interferometers. Although many Mach-Zehnder interferometers use a rectangular arrangement, parallelogram arrangements are also possible. Vibration isolated supports for optical table is optional.

Experiment:

   To study refractive index change in air under different pressures and determine refractive index of air

When a piece of material of thickness d is placed in one arm of the Michelson Interferometer, the change in optical path length is given by 2dn where n is the difference in refractive index between the sample and the material it replaced (usually air). In other words, 2d (n_m - n_air ) / λ extra wavelengths are introduced if air is replaced by a sample of refractive index n_m.

Features:

Kinematic mounts are used for fine movement of optical components

Diode laser is used as light source

All materials used in this setup are of laboratory grade with corrosion resistance

The optics used in this device are of research quality

Drawings:

Related Topics:

Interference of light

Constructive Interference

Destructive interference

Wavelength of light

Refractive index

 

Scope of Delivery:

Optical Breadboard with Support

Kinematic Laser Mount

Beamsplitter Mount

Mirror Mount with Translation 

Mirror Mount with Precision Translation

Rotation Stage

Screen with Mount

Pressure Cell

Mirror with Cell

Beamsplitter

Glass Slide

Diode Laser with Power supply (Red)

Diode Laser with Power supply (Green)

Accessories

Thumb Screws
Allen keys
Instruction Manual