Consider a Michelson interferometer that uses a sodium lamp as its source. A sodium lamp gives a
Question:
Consider a Michelson interferometer that uses a sodium lamp as its source. A sodium lamp gives a large intensity at two wavelengths, 589.00 nm and 589.59 nm, in the yellow range of the visible spectrum. For such a light source, the intensity pattern of the interferometer is just the sum of the separate interference patterns for light sources with these two wavelengths. The mirrors of the interferometer are adjusted so that there is constructive interference with the Nth bright fringe for one of these wavelengths and the (N + 1)st bright fringe for the other wavelength. Find N. Be careful with significant figures in your calculation, and give your answer for N to two significant figures.
Step by Step Answer:
College Physics Reasoning and Relationships
ISBN: 978-0840058195
2nd edition
Authors: Nicholas Giordano