Measurement of Wavelength of Light using Precision
Interferometer
Submitted By:
Shruti Saini
Roll No.: 23BPH043
Somanshu Bhardwaj
Roll No.: 23BPH044
Sona Kerketta
Roll No.: 23BPH045
Udit Chauhan
Roll No.: 23BPH046
Course:
PH-326 Lasers and Photonics Lab
Submitted To:
Dr. Avijit Dewasi
Date of Submission:
19 / 03 / 2026
1 Aim
To determine the wavelength of monochromatic light using a precision interferometer by
observing fringe shifts.
2 Apparatus
• Optoelectronic source and measurement unit
• Optical rail with laser mount and cell mount
• Optical power meter
• 3 mW laser with power supply and polarizer
• Michelson interferometer
3 Theory
The experiment is based on the phenomenon of interference of light. When two coherent
light waves overlap, they produce a pattern of alternating bright and dark fringes.
3.1 Interference of Light
Constructive interference occurs when:
∆ = mλ
Destructive interference occurs when:
1
∆= m+ λ
2
3.2 Structure of Michelson Interferometer
A Michelson interferometer consists of:
• Beam splitter (partially reflecting surface)
• Fixed mirror (M1 )
• Movable mirror (M2 ) attached to micrometer screw
• Viewing system
1
3.3 Working Principle
A monochromatic beam is split into two parts. One beam travels to the fixed mirror and
the other to the movable mirror. After reflection, the beams recombine and interfere.
“‘latex
3.4 Role of Coherence and Monochromaticity
For the formation of stable interference fringes, the light source must be coherent and
monochromatic. Coherence ensures that the phase difference between the two beams
remains constant over time, while monochromaticity ensures a single wavelength of light.
Laser sources are ideal for interferometry because they provide highly coherent and
intense light, resulting in clear and stable interference fringes.
3.5 Sources of High Accuracy
The Michelson interferometer provides high accuracy due to the following reasons:
• Small displacement of mirror produces multiple fringe shifts.
• Measurement is based on counting fringes rather than direct distance.
• Errors are minimized by averaging over several observations.
“‘
3.6 Path Difference
When the mirror is displaced by distance d, path difference changes by:
∆ = 2d
If N fringes shift:
2d = N λ
2d
λ=
N
3.7 Significance
This method allows precise measurement of wavelength because small displacement pro-
duces multiple fringe shifts.
2
Figure 1: Schematic diagram of fringes
4 Experimental Setup
The laser beam is incident on a beam splitter, dividing it into two beams which reflect
from mirrors and recombine to produce interference fringes.
Figure 2: Michelson Interferometer Setup
“‘latex
5 Procedure
1. Set up the Michelson interferometer on a stable optical table and ensure that all
components are properly aligned.
2. Switch on the monochromatic light source (laser) and allow it to stabilize.
3. Adjust the beam splitter and mirrors so that clear and well-defined interference
fringes are observed.
3
4. Focus the fringes using the viewing system. Circular or straight fringes may be
obtained depending on alignment.
5. Note the initial reading of the micrometer screw attached to the movable mirror.
6. Slowly rotate the micrometer screw to displace the movable mirror.
7. Carefully count the number of fringes (N ) passing a fixed reference point during
the displacement.
8. Record the final reading of the micrometer.
9. Calculate the displacement d using the difference between final and initial readings.
10. Repeat the experiment for multiple readings and take the average value to reduce
error.
2d
11. Use the relation λ = N
to calculate the wavelength of light.
“‘latex id=”tbl2up”
6 Observations
[Link] Initial Reading Final Reading Displacement (mm) Number of Fringes (N)
1 30 38 0.008 25
2 30 41 0.011 34
“‘
7 Calculations
7.1 First Reading
d = (38 − 30) × 0.001 = 0.008 mm
d = 8 × 10−6 m
2d 2 × 8 × 10−6
λ= =
N 25
λ = 6.4 × 10−7 m
4
7.2 Second Reading
d = (41 − 30) × 0.001 = 0.011 mm
d = 1.1 × 10−5 m
2d 2 × 1.1 × 10−5
λ= =
N 34
λ ≈ 6.47 × 10−7 m
7.3 Average Wavelength
6.4 + 6.47
λavg = × 10−7
2
λavg ≈ 6.44 × 10−7 m
λavg ≈ 644 nm
8 Error Calculation
Standard wavelength:
λ0 = 630 nm = 6.3 × 10−7 m
Average observed wavelength:
λavg = 6.44 × 10−7 m
Absolute error:
∆λ = |λavg − λ0 |
∆λ = 1.4 × 10−8 m
Percentage error:
∆λ
%error = × 100
λ0
%error ≈ 2.22%
5
9 Result
The average wavelength of the given light is:
λ ≈ 6.44 × 10−7 m (644 nm)
10 Precautions
• Proper alignment of interferometer
• Avoid vibrations
• Rotate screw slowly
• Count fringes carefully
11 Sources of Error
• Fringe counting error
• Misalignment
• Micrometer backlash
• External disturbances