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a:interferometer [2023/09/02 00:31]
sz 		a:interferometer [2023/09/02 00:35] (current)
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 The word //interference// is used in describing the combination or superimposition of two beams of light. The terms //constructive interference// or //destructive interference// describe whether the two combining light beams, or any waves, are in phase or out of phase with each other. The word //interference// is used in describing the combination or superimposition of two beams of light. The terms //constructive interference// or //destructive interference// describe whether the two combining light beams, or any waves, are in phase or out of phase with each other.
  
-Here's a common activity that can be described in terms of //phase//. Consider a bigger person pushing a child on a swing. The person does not push constantly, except perhaps when starting the swinging. Once the child is swinging back and forth, the person pushes in the same direction that the swing is moving at that instance to swing higher. The child and the person are not beams of light, but it does illustrate the meaning of the word //phase//. The phase of the swinging alternates between moving forward and moving backward. The phase of the pushing alternates between pushing forward and not pushing at all. If the pushing forward coincides with the swing moving forward, then the swinging motion increases. In this case the pushing and swing motion are in phase and the height of the swinging increases due to the //constructive interference//. If the pushing forward coincides with the swing moving backward, then the swinging motion decreases. In this case the pushing and swing motion are out of phase and the height of the swinging decreases due to the //destructive interference//.+Here's a common activity that can be described in terms of //phase//. Consider a bigger person pushing a child on a swing. The person does not push constantly, except perhaps when starting the swinging. Once the child is swinging back and forth, the person pushes in the same direction that the swing is moving at that instant to swing higher. The child and the person are not beams of light, but it does illustrate the meaning of the word //phase//. The phase of the swinging alternates between moving forward and moving backward. The phase of the pushing alternates between pushing forward and not pushing at all. If the pushing forward coincides with the swing moving forward, then the swinging motion increases. In this case the pushing and swing motion are in phase and the height of the swinging increases due to the //constructive interference//. If the pushing forward coincides with the swing moving backward, then the swinging motion decreases. In this case the pushing and swing motion are out of phase and the height of the swinging decreases due to the //destructive interference//.
  
 In a Michelson interferometer, a beam of light is split in two by going through a half-silvered mirror. The two beams travel along two different paths and are then recombined. Suppose the paths are exactly the same length. (It is no small feat to make this happen.) Then the two beams are in the same phase when recombined and the combined beam is bright. Suppose one beam goes through warmer air that causes it to speed up a little. Then the phase changes and the light becomes dimmer. In a Michelson interferometer, a beam of light is split in two by going through a half-silvered mirror. The two beams travel along two different paths and are then recombined. Suppose the paths are exactly the same length. (It is no small feat to make this happen.) Then the two beams are in the same phase when recombined and the combined beam is bright. Suppose one beam goes through warmer air that causes it to speed up a little. Then the phase changes and the light becomes dimmer.
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 The difference between conventional experimental results and my results is explained by the difference between their mass density parameter and my mass density parameter. They chose a mass density near-zero, and I chose the mass density of glass, the core of optical fiber. Given that the claimed, previously unrecognized, experimental parameter is different, one should allow that the results might be different. This means that Einsteins relativity and the associated experiments and observations remain valid when the mass density is low, as it is in a vacuum. The difference between conventional experimental results and my results is explained by the difference between their mass density parameter and my mass density parameter. They chose a mass density near-zero, and I chose the mass density of glass, the core of optical fiber. Given that the claimed, previously unrecognized, experimental parameter is different, one should allow that the results might be different. This means that Einsteins relativity and the associated experiments and observations remain valid when the mass density is low, as it is in a vacuum.
  
-The above description is a great oversimplification. For one thing, there is a second previously unrecognized parameter. Also, various assumptions related to the expected and actual results need reexamined.+This description is a great oversimplification. For one thing, there is a second previously unrecognized parameter. Also, various assumptions related to the expected and actual results need reexamined.
  
  
a/interferometer.1693629061.txt.gz · Last modified: 2023/09/02 00:31 by sz

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