Lecture demonstrations on the interference of partially coherent light

G.S. Egorov, S.N. Mensov, N.S. Stepanov^a
^aN.I. Lobachevskii Nizhnii Novgorod State University, prosp. Gagarina 23, Nizhnii Novgorod, Russian Federation

A system based on the Mach--Zender interferometer is described. It can be used for lecture demonstrations of interference between light waves with adjustable statistical parameters (degree and time of coherence). The light source is a continuously operating gas laser. Partially coherent light can be produced by modulating with one of the mirrors, using a piezoelectric barium titanate cylinder to establish the required amplitude and frequency. Another method used to vary the degree of coherence continuously from 1 to 0 relies on the introduction of a second, similar laser beam. More accurate quantitative data can be obtained by using a scanning mirror in conjunction with a photomultiplier. This transforms the intensity distribution into a ``transverse'' pattern on the screen of an oscilloscope. Polarization effects can also be demonstrated.

PACS: 01.50.My, 07.60.Ly (all)
DOI: 10.1070/PU1979v022n09ABEH005610
URL: https://ufn.ru/en/articles/1979/9/e/
Citation: Egorov G S, Mensov S N, Stepanov N S "Lecture demonstrations on the interference of partially coherent light" Sov. Phys. Usp. 22 757–759 (1979)

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TY JOUR
TI Lecture demonstrations on the interference of partially coherent light
AU Egorov, G. S.
AU Mensov, S. N.
AU Stepanov, N. S.
PB Physics-Uspekhi
PY 1979
JO Physics-Uspekhi
JF Physics-Uspekhi
JA Phys. Usp.
VL 22
IS 9
SP 757-759
UR https://ufn.ru/en/articles/1979/9/e/
ER https://doi.org/10.1070/PU1979v022n09ABEH005610

Оригинал: Егоров Г С, Менсов С Н, Степанов Н С «Лекционные опыты по интерференции частично когерентного света» УФН 129 151–154 (1979); DOI: 10.3367/UFNr.0129.197909f.0151