Michelson Interferometer
The Michelson interferometer as a demonstration of interference of two beams depending on their path difference.
Michelson interferometer with power supply for the laser.
Michelson interferometer.
Detail of Michelson interferometer. S – light source (He-Ne laser), M – mirrors, B – beamsplitter, D – screen (detector). The beam paths are shown in red.
Interference pattern on the screen.
Interference pattern on the screen shifted approximately by half a period.
When one of the optical paths is blocked, the interference disappears.