In michelson interferometer, in order to see two consecutive dark frin...
The correct answer is a) lemda. As movement through two dark fringes means that the total optical path length in the arm of the interferometer where the mirror has moved has changed by two wavelengths (lemda). Since the light reflected from a mirror is doubled in path length change by going out to the new mirror position and returning to the original mirror position, the mirror has been moved the equivalent distance of one wavelength that is one lemda.
In michelson interferometer, in order to see two consecutive dark frin...
Explanation of Michelson Interferometer
Michelson interferometer is an optical instrument used to measure the wavelength of light, small distances and refractive index of transparent materials. It consists of a beam splitter, two mirrors, and a detector.
The beam splitter splits the incoming light into two beams, one of which is reflected by a stationary mirror while the other is reflected by a movable mirror. The two beams are then recombined at the beam splitter and directed towards a detector.
Determination of Distance for Two Consecutive Dark Fringes
To see two consecutive dark fringes, the distance through which the mirror is moved needs to be determined. This can be done by using the equation:
Δx = λ/2
Where Δx is the distance between two consecutive dark fringes, and λ is the wavelength of the light used.
This means that in order to see two consecutive dark fringes, the mirror needs to be moved by half the wavelength of the light used.
For example, if the light used has a wavelength of 500 nm, the distance through which the mirror needs to be moved to see two consecutive dark fringes would be:
Δx = 500 nm / 2 = 250 nm
Therefore, the correct answer to the question is option B, λ/2.