Learn about the 6 most common types of interferometers used in various industries, including Mach-Zehnder, Michelson, and Sagnac interferometers.

6 Most Common Types of Interferometers

Interferometers are scientific instruments that are used to measure waves by analyzing their interference patterns. Interferometers have many applications in various fields such as physics, engineering, astronomy, and medicine. Here are the 6 most common types of interferometers:

Mach-Zehnder Interferometer

The Mach-Zehnder interferometer was first developed by Ludwig Mach and Ludwig Zehnder in the early 1900s. It is a type of interferometer that uses two beams of light to create interference patterns. The Mach-Zehnder interferometer is commonly used in telecommunications, quantum optics, and laser technology.

Michelson Interferometer

The Michelson interferometer was developed by Albert A. Michelson in the late 1800s. It is a type of interferometer that uses a beam splitter to split a beam of light into two. One beam travels to a fixed mirror, while the other beam travels to a movable mirror. The beams are then recombined, and the interference patterns are analyzed. The Michelson interferometer is commonly used in physics, optics, and astronomy.

Other common types of interferometers include:

Sagnac Interferometer

The Sagnac interferometer was first developed by Georges Sagnac in 1913. It is a type of interferometer that uses a ring-shaped optical path to create interference patterns. The Sagnac interferometer is commonly used in fiber-optic gyroscopes, which are used for navigation in spacecraft and airplanes.

Twyman-Green Interferometer

The Twyman-Green interferometer was first developed by Frank Twyman and Albert Green in the early 1900s. It is a type of interferometer that uses a beam splitter and two mirrors to create interference patterns. The Twyman-Green interferometer is commonly used in optics and metrology.

Fizeau Interferometer

The Fizeau interferometer was first developed by Hippolyte Fizeau in the mid-1800s. It is a type of interferometer that uses a partially reflective plate to split a beam of light into two. The beams are then recombined, and the interference patterns are analyzed. The Fizeau interferometer is commonly used in optics and metrology.

Common-Path Interferometer

The Common-Path interferometer is a type of interferometer that uses a single beam of light to create interference patterns. It is commonly used in microscopy and holography.

Interferometers have revolutionized many fields of science and technology by providing precise measurements and allowing for the study of wave phenomena. These 6 types of