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Comparison of Interferometry Applications: Michelson vs. Sagnac Interferometers

Comparison of Interferometry Applications: Michelson vs. Sagnac Interferometers

Original Research ArticleMar 11, 2025Vol. 25 No. 4 (2025) 10.55003/cast.2025.263978

Abstract

An interferometer is a crucial instrument for collecting information on interference patterns, widely used in both scientific and industrial applications. This paper was focused on comparing the interferometric applications of the Michelson and Sagnac interferometers. The Michelson interferometer, characterized by its double-path setup, and the Sagnac interferometer, which operates on a common-path principle, were analyzed. Experiments were conducted to capture interference patterns of different samples using both interferometers. In the first experiment, the image fringes of the alphabet characters (K, M, I, T, and L) were captured, while in the second, fingerprint patterns were captured. The results showed that both interferometers produced similar fringes for the alphabet characters, although the Sagnac interferometer exhibited a higher circular frequency. In the fingerprint experiment, the Michelson interferometer produced linear fringes. This study highlights the distinct fringe patterns generated by each interferometer when different samples are analyzed, providing valuable insights into their diverse applications.

References

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Author Information

Thanawat Wannasri

Department of Physics, School of Science, King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, Bangkok, Thailand

Witoon Yindeesuk

Department of Physics, School of Science, King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, Bangkok, Thailand

Prathan Buranasiri

Department of Physics, School of Science, King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, Bangkok, Thailand

About this Article

Current Journal

Vol. 25 No. 4 (2025)

Type of Manuscript

Original Research Article

Keywords

interference patterns
Michelson interferometer
Sagnac interferometer
fringe analysis
optical paths

Published

11 March 2025

DOI

10.55003/cast.2025.263978

Current Journal

Journal Cover
Vol. 25 No. 4 (2025)

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