Rayleigh interferometer
In optics, a Rayleigh interferometer is a type of interferometer which employs two beams of light from a single source. The two beams are recombined after traversing two optical paths, and the interference pattern after recombination allows the determination of the difference in path lengths.[1]
Principle of Operation[edit]
Light from a source (left) is collimated by a lens and split into two beams using slits. The beams are sent through two different paths and pass through compensating plates. They are brought to a focus by a second lens (bottom) where an interference pattern is observed to determine the optical path difference in terms of wavelengths of the light.
Advantages and disadvantages[edit]
The advantage of the Rayleigh interferometer is its simple construction. Its drawbacks are (i) it requires a point or line source of light for good fringe visibility, and (ii) the fringes must be viewed with high magnification.[2]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ Busch, Kenneth W. (1990). "§6.6.5 The Rayleigh interferometer". Multielement detection systems for spectrochemical analysis. New York: Wiley. p. 231. ISBN 0-471-81974-3.
- ^ Hariharan, P. (2007). Basics of interferometry (2nd ed.). Amsterdam: Elsevier Academic Press. p. 15. ISBN 978-0123735898.