Instructions for Counting Fringes Automatically
July 16, 2012
1 Introduction
It is often difficult to count large numbers of fringes due to eyestrain. However, to get
small errors in measuring the wavelengths of laser with Michelson Interferometer, it may
be necessary to count over 100 fringes. In this handout, we outline several methods to count
interference fringes by interfacing the photometer output with digital counter, oscilloscope
or computer. All equipment listed are available in the lab. (You may also make your own
circuit for automatic counting. See Page 22 on PASCO Interferometer Manual)
Michelson Interferometer System: The interferometer divides an incident beam into
two beams via a partially reflecting mirror called a Beam-Splitter. A Beam-Splitter is a
piece of glass partially mirrored on one side. The two resulting beams are coherent and
they pass through almost equal light path before recombination. Two mirrors (M1 and
M2) are used and the location of M1 is adjustable. If both mirrors are perfectly aligned
(perpendicular to the light beams, and well located to ensure the two beams have nearly
equivalent path lengths), the two coherent beams interference with each other to display
fringes(Fig.2), i.e. coaxial rings. If M1 is slowly moved forward or backward with the
control of the micrometer dial, we can observe the fringes either disappear or come out at
the center. Counting the fringes gives the change of light path length.
∆L = 2d = nλ (1)
Where d is the displacement of movable mirror, n is the number of fringes, and λ is the
wavelength of incident light.
So the wavelength is determined by
λ = 2d/n (2)
1
2 Procedure
(1)Warm up the He-Ne laser(red) for at least an hour( Your TA will warm up the laser
before your lab session starts).
(2) Align the optical components as shown in Fig.1. If using PASCO’s laser, you should
use the bench coupler(OS-9142) to secure the laser to the left side of interferometer base.
Remove the 18mm lens, adjust the position of the laser until the bright spot reflected from
the mirror M1 re-enters the laser.
(3) Set the beam splitter 45 degrees to the incident laser beam. Put a viewing screen before
the Linear Translator and you will probably see two sets of spots. Each set has a main
spot and several secondary spots.
(4) Adjust thumbscrews at the back of M2 so that the two sets of spots can overlap. The
two main spots should overlap with each other and you should see the combined spot
flashing.
(5) Then place the lens. You are supposed to see fringes as in Fig.2. If not, slightly
adjust the thumbscrews at the back of M2. ( For more information, see Tips on Using the
Interferometer Page.9 on PASCO Interferometer Manual )
(6)Twiddle the micrometer knob to observe the fringes disappear or come out at the cen-
ter.
(7) Remove the screen and adjust the linear translator until the light beam hits the optic
probe. Note: use the maximal possible sensitivity of photometer (But DO NOT
OVERRANGE), especially when using the counter method.
(7) Three methods to count the fringes:
(a)Counter
Connect the output of photometer to a Counter(PASCO Model 8025). The input can be either
the white and black binding posts or the BNC connecter.
The counter accepts pulses with min amplitude of 200mv and max amplitude of 20V.
You can use oscilloscope to check the amplitude of light pulse.
Set the counter Mode switch to COUNTER, MEMORY switch to OFF, INPUT HOLD switch to
OFF, and COUNT PERIOD switch to Infinity(∞).
Press RESET button.
Record the initial reading of micrometer.
Press START/STOP button.(begin counting)
2
Turn the micrometer knob counterclockwise as fast as you can (the pulse signal must
be sharp, otherwise you may miss several counts). After several turns (The counting number
reaches at least 100), stop and press START/STOP button of counter.
Record the reading of counter and micrometer.
(b)Oscilloscope
Connect the output of photometer to an oscilloscope.
Set the time division as 5s or 10s and press RUN/STOP button. Now the oscilloscope is scanning
slowly. Slightly twiddle the knob on the base of interferometer, the evolution of fringes provides
signal pulses to the photometer and the oscilloscope.
Turn the knob counterclockwise as slowly as you can so that the curve of signal pulses
is smooth and the peaks are recognizable.
After several turns, press RUN/STOP button on the oscilloscope panel to stop the scanning. Count
the peaks of the waveform(Fig.4) and the initial and final readings of micrometer. The number of
peaks corresponds to the number of fringes in Eq.1.
(c)ScienceWorkshop and DataStudio
Connect the output of photometer to ScienceWorkshop 750 Interface. Note:Use Analog
Channel.
Open DataStudio software on PC. Click ”Create Experiment”.
Click the corresponding channel in Experiment Setup Wizard and choose Voltage Sensor.
Click Start.
Click Graph in Displays. Now you should see the time evolution of the input voltage signal.
Turn the micrometer knob and you are supposed to observe the oscillation of signal( Fig.5) due to
the change of fringes.
Turn the knob counterclockwise as slowly as you can so that the curve of signal is
smooth and the peaks are recognizable.
Count the peaks of waveform and the initial and final readings of micrometer. The number of
peaks corresponds to the number of fringes in Eq (1).
(8)Calculate the wavelength of laser and compare it to the theoretical value. Which of the three is
the most precise method? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each method?
(9)Use a green laser to repeat steps above and measure the wavelength. Remember to level the
laser beam before the experiment.
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Figure 1: Apparatus
Figure 2: Fringes
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Figure 3: experiment setup
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Figure 4: waveform on oscilloscope
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Figure 5: waveform on PC
