The purpose of an
interferometer is similar to that of a filter or
monochromator , i.e., to isolate a specific portion of the electromagnetic
spectrum . Unlike prism or grating monochromators, interferometers are not dispersive instruments, but use interference to selectively transmit a certain
wavelength. The links below
lead to descriptions of three
interferometer designs. Types of interferometersFabry-Perot
interferometer (etalon) Used in high-resolution applications, such as atomic
spectroscopy or measurement of narrow-band laser linewidths. Michelson interferometerUsed in
fourier-transform infrared absorption spectrometers (FTIR). Mach-Zender interferometerUsed to measure
refractive index changes in gases and in interference microscopes to
image transparent samples. Related Topics
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