Observation and verification of the Fresnel and Arago interference laws using adaptive photodetectors

P. Rodríguez Montero

Abstract


The Fresnel and Arago interference laws relate the polarization of the electromagnetic field to the interference phenomenon. Different methods and interferometers have been reported to verify these laws; most of them rely on visual inspection to determine the positions of maximum and minimum interference. In this report, the observation and verification of the Fresnel and Arago interference laws using adaptive photodetectors are presented. These photodetectors generate an electrical current proportional to the square of the visibility of the interference pattern; thus the gradual change from the appearance of the interference pattern (maximum visibility) to its disappearance (minimum or null visibility) is detected as an electrical current. The extreme values of the interference pattern visibility can be accurately assessed, in real time and without any signal processing using. A difference of 3 orders of magnitude between the signals measured in the positions of maximum and minimum interference is demonstrated. Due to the adaptive properties of the adaptive photodetectors (compensation of the irregularities of the interfering beams and suppression environmental fluctuations), the proposed method can be suitable for teaching purposes in undergraduate laboratories.

Keywords


polarization; interference; adaptive photodetectors

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References


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DOI: https://doi.org/10.31349/RevMexFisE.18.44

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REVISTA MEXICANA DE FÍSICA E, year 18, issue 1, January-June 2021. Semiannual Journal published by Sociedad Mexicana de Física, A. C. Departamento de Física, 2º Piso, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Alcaldía Coyacán, C.P. 04510 , Ciudad de México. Apartado Postal 70-348. Tel. (+52)55-5622-4946, https://rmf.smf.mx/ojs/rmf-e, rmf@ciencias.unam.mx. Chief Editor: José Alejandro Ayala Mercado.  INDAUTOR Certificate of Reserve: 04-2019-080216402500-203, ISSN: 2683-2216 (on line), 1870-3542 (print), both granted by Instituto Nacional del Derecho de Autor.  Responsible for the last update of this issue, Technical Staff of Sociedad Mexicana de Física, A. C., Fís. Efraín Garrido Román, 2º. Piso, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Alcaldía Coyacán, C.P. 04510 , Ciudad de México. Date of last modification, January 04, 2021.

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