M ICROWAVE I NTERFEROMETERS 1

I NTERMEDIATE L AB , U NIVERSITY OF S OUTH F LORIDA

O VERVIEW
You will use two different interferometry set-ups in order to determine the wavelength of microwave radiation created by our laboratory apparatus. You will construct a Michelson interferometer similar to the one used in the famous Michelson-Morley experiment. In addition to this, you will assemble a Fabry-Perot interferometer, considered by many to be an improvement over the Michelson interferometer. You will report two measured values for the wavelength of the microwaves and compare these to the known value. You can calculate the known wavelength from the provided known frequency.

B ACKGROUND
An understanding of basic wave phenomena, including interference, is required; refer to an introductory physics textbook for scientists and engineers for all background information not provided here. In this lab, we will focus on constructing two interferometers using the following basic components: A microwave source, beam splitters (partial reflectors), mirrors (full reflectors), and a detector that measures the amplitude of microwave radiation at a specific point in space. The detector and source will be fixed in place for a given set-up, and moving one of the reflectors through a measured amount will result in successive maxima and minima being detected. The first type of interferometer you will construct is a Fabry-Perot interferometer. This type of interferometer you may not have learned about in general physics; it is not commonly covered in introductory textbooks. The set-up for our Fabry-Perot interferometer is shown in Figure 1. The radiation is sent towards two parallel partial reflectors. At each reflector, part of the wave is transmitted and part is reflected. For clarity, only some of the most relevant reflections and transmissions are shown in the figure, but note that there are many more than shown. Also for clarity, the reflections are shown below the original wave, when in reality all of the waves are superimposed. The Fabry-Perot interferometer works as follows: When the original wave from the transmitter encounters the first partial reflector, some of this wave is transmitted (labeled 1 in the figure) and some is reflected (not shown in the figure). When this hits the second partial reflector, some of this is transmitted (2) and some is reflected (3). Note the phase change upon reflection. This reflected wave (3) is partially reflected off of the first reflector (wave 4). This secondary reflection is partially transmitted through the second reflector (wave 5) and partially reflected (not shown). The part of wave 4 that is reflected repeats this cycle and contributes another wave transmitted towards the receiver (also not shown). The end result is that at the receiver the intensity detected will be the superposition of all the transmitted waves (2 and 5 are the only ones shown in the figure, but there will be an infinite amount in decreasing intensity). In the situation shown in the figure, the waves striking the receiver will constructively interfere with each other because they are in phase, resulting in a maximum intensity at the receiver.

Last revised by M. D. Chabot, August 2010. Some excerpts based on Pasco Scientific Lab Manual.

transmitter

receiver

3 5

Figure 1: A Fabry-Perot Microwave Interferometer, showing constructive interference. See text for explanation. For clarity, only some of the reflections and transmissions are shown; there are many more than shown. Also for clarity, the reflections are shown below the original wave, when in reality all of the waves are superimposed.

Figure 2 shows the same set-up, but now the second reflector has been moved closer to the first reflector by wavelength. From this set-up, you can see that now the waves (2) and (5) transmitted to the receiver destructively interfere, so there will be a minimum in the detected signal.

Moved
transmitter 1 2 receiver

3 5 4 Figure 2: Fabry-Perot set-up showing destructive interference.

Thus, the wavelength can be measured by measuring the oscillations in intensity at the receiver as a function of the position of the second partial reflector. Make sure you are clear how the change in position relates to the wavelength when determining a final value. The Michelson interferometer works on similar principles, but it has a very different geometry which is your responsibility to determine (see HW 1). We will set up a Michelson interferometer that uses 2 mirrors and one partial reflector. One of the mirrors will be moveable, with everything else fixed in place. For your reference, a Michelson interferometer is covered in most introductory textbooks for scientists and engineers. Consult multiple sources as needed. (Some notes: 1. Some diagrams will have a compensator or an extra partial reflector, but we do not need this element because our microwave wavelength is much longer than visible light wavelengths. 2. There are two different detection methods commonly used in this type of interferometer; when determining the appropriate geometry, recall that our detector measures amplitude at a single fixed point in space, and that we are not able to observe fringes all at once.) One last note about interferometery before moving on to the equipment: In this lab, you will use interferometers to measure the wavelength of radiation. In fact, they do work quite well for this purpose. However, another very useful application of an interferometer is to use radiation of a known wavelength (such as laser light) in order to determine the distance through which something has moved. This can be an extremely sensitive method of distance detection.

P ROCEDURE
The equipment you will use for this experiment is shown in Figure 3 (on page 4).2 The microwave transmitter outputs 15mW of linearly polarized 10.525 GHz microwaves. The microwave transmitter begins working once it is plugged in; the LED will light to indicate the unit is on. The microwave receiver
2

From Pasco Scientific Lab Manual.

provides a meter reading that is approximately proportional to the intensity of the incident microwave signal. There are two gain knobs on the receiver that allow you to maximize the signal for a given set-up. The receiver horn must be rotated into the same position as the transmitter horn in order for the microwaves to be detected. To turn on the receiver, turn the intensity selection switch from OFF to the desired amplification level. You should select an amplification level that will maximize the signal on the scale without going off scale. Note that neither of our interferometers requires a quantitative measurement of the intensity; relative intensities are all that will be measured. Fabry-Perot Interferometer: For the Fabry-Perot interferometer, you will use only the following components: transmitter receiver goniometer 2 component holders 2 partial reflectors. Assemble the Fabry-Perot interferometer. When taking measurements, do not move the reflector that is closest to the transmitter; instead, move the one closest to the detector. (A standing wave can be created between the transmitter and the first reflector; moving the first reflector will change this standing wave amplitude and distort the results.) Carefully take measurements to determine the wavelength of the microwaves. It is suggested that you not take measurements from max-to-min because these increments are too small. As is true for all labs, it is suggested that you repeat the experiment multiple times. It is your responsibility to obtain quality data that attempts to minimize the uncertainty in the final result. Michelson Interferometer: For the Michelson interferometer, you will use the following components: transmitter receiver goniometer fixed arm assembly (which simply sits on top of the goniometer, covering most of the scale) 1 rotating component holder (which sits on top of the fixed arm/goniometer assembly) 2 component holders 1 partial reflector 2 metal reflectors. In the Michelson interferometer, best results are obtained when the metal reflectors are both far away from the central partial reflector, so make sure to arrange your set-up so the metal reflectors are on the longest arms. (This is because secondary interference effects need to be minimized, just as with the Fabry-Perot interferometer.) Again, think wisely about your measurement plan. It is suggested that you not take measurements from adjacent max-to-min because these increments are too small. Assemble the Michelson interferometer and take careful measurements. When you are finished: turn off the microwave receiver by setting the intensity knob to zero unplug the microwave transmitter to shut it off disassemble the set-up and tidy the area Reminders 1. Show up prepared to your lab session. You must have a good understanding of the experiment and of the physics before stepping foot into the lab. 2. It is your responsibility to get quality data using the correct set-up for each interferometer. 3. Write everything down in your lab book and turn your duplicate pages into PHY006 immediately following your lab session. Follow the guidelines for lab notebooks regarding exactly what to record. 4. Exchange contact information with your lab partners in case questions come up during analysis.

White on one side; cardboard on other.

Figure 3: Equipment used to construct the interferometers.