/
/
/
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) https://doi.org/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

1
Ferrari, J. A., Garbusi, E., & Frins, E. M. (2002). Modified Michelson interferometer with electrooptic phase control. Optics Communications, 209(4-6), 245-253. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0030-4018(02)01730-3
2
Joenathan, C., Naderishahab, T., Bernal, A., Krovetz, A. B., Kumar, V. C. P., & Ganesan, A. R. (2017). Nanoscale tilt measurement using a cyclic interferometer with polarization phase stepping and multiple reflections. Applied Optics, 57(7), B52-B58. https://doi.org/10.1364/ao.57.000B52
3
Malacara, D., & Harris, O. (1970). Interferometric measurement of angles. Applied Optics, 9(7), 1630-1633. https://doi.org/10.1364/ao.9.001630
4
Schnars, U., & Jueptner, W. (2005). Digital holography. Springer eBooks. https://doi.org/10.1007/b138284
5
Shaddock, D. A., Gray, M. B., & McClelland, D. E. (1998). Experimental demonstration of resonant sideband extraction in a Sagnac interferometer. Applied Optics, 37(34), 7995-8001. https://doi.org/10.1364/ao.37.007995

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

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

Current Journal

Journal Cover
Vol. 25 No. 4 (2025)

Search

Latest Articles

Unknown
Jul 8, 2025

Physical and Antioxidant Properties of Bamboo Shoot: Impact of Boiling on Purine Content and Antioxidant Activity

Unknown
Jul 8, 2025

Optimization of Needleless Electrospinning for the Large- Scale Production of Photocatalytic Nanofibers

Unknown
Jul 8, 2025

Impact of Pichia manshurica UNJCC Y-123 and Pichia cecembensis UNJCC Y-157 on Fermentation of Maggot (Hermetia illucens) Growth Media for Enhanced Broiler Chicken Carcass Quality

Unknown
Jul 8, 2025

Isolation, Screening, and Molecular Identification of Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria from Maize Rhizosphere Soil