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Question 20241
JEE Physics · Hard

Electromagnetic Waves and Wave Optics: Michelson Interferometer MCQ

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Michelson InterferometerHardQuestion 20241

Question

In a Michelson interferometer, moving one mirror by λ/2 causes the fringe pattern to shift by:
  1. A
    One fringe width
    Correct
  2. B
    Half a fringe width
  3. C
    Two fringe widths
  4. D
    λ fringe widths

Correct answer

One fringe width

Explanation

Moving mirror by λ/2 changes the path length of that arm by 2×(λ/2) = λ → change in path difference = λ → shift of exactly one fringe. Used to measure wavelengths and test optical components with sub-wavelength precision.

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