What do interferometers measure?
Because of their wide application, interferometers come in a variety of shapes and sizes. They are used to measure everything from the smallest variations on the surface of a microscopic organism, to the structure of enormous expanses of gas and dust in the distant Universe, and now, to detect gravitational waves.
How does LIGO measure distance?
Most sensitive: At its most sensitive state, LIGO will be able to detect a change in distance between its mirrors 1/10,000th the width of a proton! This is equivalent to measuring the distance to the nearest star (some 4.2 light years away) to an accuracy smaller than the width of a human hair.
What does a Michelson interferometer measure?
The Michelson interferometer and its modifications are used in the optical industry for testing lenses and prisms, for measuring index of refraction, and for examining minute details of surfaces (microtopographies). The instrument consists of a half-silvered mirror that divides a light beam into two equal parts,…
How does LIGO detector work?
The Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory (LIGO) searches for distortions in space-time that would indicate the passage of gravitational waves. The laser beams reflect back and forth off of mirrors, coming back to converge at the crux of the arms, canceling each other out.
What is fringes of equal thickness?
Fringes of equal thickness are responsible for the rainbow coloring of thin films, such as soap bubbles, patches of oil and gasoline on water, and films of oxides on metals; they are the cause of temper color.
What is the difference between Haidinger and Fizeau fringes?
Haidinger fringes refer to fringes obtained by interference of coherent and monochromatic lights to produce visible dark and bright fringes. Fizeau fringes are however obtained when the surfaces are separated by a very thin layer of air, several patterns are formed in this type.