INVESTIGATION OF FABRY-PEROT INTERFEROMETER CHARACTERISTICS

Govind Unnikrishnan (IMS21074)

(Dated: December 4, 2023)
The Fabry-Perot interferometer is a multipurpose optical device that is used extensively in many
scientific and technological domains. This device uses the constructive and destructive interference
of light waves to achieve high-resolution measurements. It works on the principles of interference.
Two parallel, partially reflecting mirrors separated at a precise distance make up the interferometer,
creating a cavity for resonance. Between the mirrors, incident light is reflected several times, re-
sulting in interference patterns that are extremely sensitive to variations in wavelength or distance.
An interferometer is a useful instrument in spectroscopy, telecommunication, and laser technol-
ogy because it can transmit specific wavelengths selectively. Moreover, its application in accurate
measurement of distances, as in systems for measuring distances, highlights its importance in metrol-
ogy. Late advancements such as the incorporation of Fabry-Perot interferometers in both micro and
nanoscale gadgets, show the continuous efforts to improve and shrink their functionality. It’s em-
ployed to determine the incident light’s wavelength. The measurement of a free spectral range is
one of a Fabry-Perot interferometer’s primary functions. The range is revealed by the free spectral
range of visible light wavelengths. The red laser’s beam profile is captured, and the spot diameter
is also used Full Width Half Maximas for measurement.

I. INTRODUCTION

The Fabry-Perot interferometer creates interference

patterns by taking advantage of multiple reflections be-
tween partially silvered mirrors that are spaced closely
apart. With each reflection, a portion of the light is trans-
mitted to the second mirror, a phenomenon that multi- FIG. 1. Fabry-Perot
plies to create multiple beams of interference. An inter-
ferometer with high resolution can be created with this
characteristic. High-resolution interferometry is the main ‘N’ number of fringes and ‘’ is the calibration con-
use for Fabry-Perot interferometers, especially when res- stant.
olutions between MHz and GHz are needed. Two mir-
rors are set up in a parallel configuration with an optical • Spacing of Etalon: λp = 2µtcosθ Where ‘θ’ is
spacing of ’d’ between them. While one mirror is fixed, the incidence angle of the light, ‘λp’ is the wave-
the other can be precisely adjusted using micrometers. length, ‘µ’ is the refraction index, and ‘t’ is the
This makes it possible to precisely change the mirrors’ spacing between mirrors.
separation in any direction. Beam profiling: This proce-
dure is used to describe a laser’s spatial intensity distri-
bution beam or alternative source of illumination. The
shape, size, and quality of the beam are all important de-
II. EXPERIMENTAL SETUP
tails that this analysis offers and are crucial for a variety
of applications, including laser scientific research, med-
ical imaging, material processing, and alignment. The Optical Rail (1 meter), Fabry-Perot setup (Fixed Mir-
beam’s spot diameter is calculated from its full-width ror mount with Two Etalon), Movable Mirror with Kine-
half-maxima using the formula d = 1.699F/2000 matic and fine linear Micrometer (0-10 mm), Diode Laser
mount with Kinematic (5 V) Power Supply, Achromatic
• Calibration constant: Calibration constant is Lens mount, Frosted Glass viewing Screen and mount
given by ∆ = d/d′ with Micrometer
where d = fracN2 N is no of fringes that emerged
or collapsed and lambda is the wavelength of the
light used. In a Fabry-Perot interferometer, cali- III. WAVE LENGTH OF LASER BEAM
bration is figuring out the correlation between the
observed interference patterns and the physical di-
A. THEORY
mensions—like wavelength or distance—that are
being measured. This is essential for acquiring
trustworthy and precise measurements. The wavelength of light can be obtained from the
usual law for interference N=2d sin, here we multiply
• Wavelength of laser beam: λ = (2d/N)∆ a calibration constant for more accuracy. Therefore
Where ‘d’ is the change in micrometer reading for wavelength of laser light can be obtained as,
 2

λ = (2d/N)∆ d = N λ/2
Where ‘d’ is the change in micrometer reading for ‘N ’
number of fringes and ‘∆’ is the calibration constant
No. of Initial Final Distance
Calibration
fringes micrometer micrometer moved
B. PROCEDURE constant
Counted reading reading (A − B) = d′
∆ = d/d′
(N) (A) (B) mm
We have bright circular fringes over screen as we set
up the Fabry-Perot interferometer. Now note a partic- 20 2.76 3.05 0.29 0.018
ular reading on the x-micrometer (say 5mm) and check 20 3.058 3.3 0.25 0.021
whether dark or bright fringe is present at the middle 20 3.3 3.56 0.26 0.020
of the pattern. Then start rotating the micrometer with Calibration constant, ∆ =0.0034
steady pressure and count at least 20 fringes that passes
by. Note the change in micrometer reading as‘d’ and sub-
stituting this value in the equation above you can obtain
the wavelength of the laser beam. Have different trials
to get B. Wavelength of Laser beam

IV. TO FIND THE SPACING OF THE ETALON

No. of Initial Final Distance
Average
A. THEORY fringes micrometer micrometer moved
value of
Counted reading reading (A - B ) = d′
The path difference occurring in between Fabry - d(mm)
(N) (A) (B) mm
Perot cavity can be expressed mathematically by the 20 3.75 3.95 0.20 0.0032
basic Fabry - Perot equation :
20 3.95 4.18 0.23 0.0045
20 4.18 4.35 0.17 0.0033
λp = 2µtcosθ The wavelength of Laser beam, λ = (2d/N )∆ = 705.6nm

The spacing of the etalon is given by C. To find the spacing of Etalon

t = nD2 λ/X2n Wavelength of the Laser beam = 532 nm

Distance between the etalon and screen, D = 63.5 m

χ2n = χ2m+n − χ2m t = nD2 λ/χn 2
Where ‘n’ is the order of fringe, ‘D’ is the distance Fringe No R (cm) R2 cm2

cm2 ( m)
between the etalon and the screen and
χm 0 0 0 0
χm+1 5.2 27.04 27.04 0.0078
X2n = X2m+n − X2m χm+2 6 36 36 0.0073
χm+3 10.2 104.04 104.04 0.0098
2
Xm+n is the square of the radius of (m+n) th ring and χm+4 13.3 176.89 176.89 0.0046
Xn2 is the square of radius of mth ring. With the spacing χm+5 19.8 392.04 392.04 0.0053
between etalon we can find the free spectral range of the
interferometer cavity and the finesse of the spectrum. χm+6 20.9 436.81 436.81 0.0067
χm+7 21.8 475.24 475.24 0.0062
χm+8 22.8 519.84 519.84 0.0038
V. OBSERVATION χm+9 23.7 561.69 561.69 0.004

A. Finding the calibration constant:

The average spacing between Etalon is, t = 0.0056m

To find the Free Spectral Range of the Etalon and Fi-

Wavelength of the Laser beam is = 532nm nesse The spacing between Etalon,
t = 0.0056m c = 3 108 cm
 3

Free Spectral Range of Etalon FSR= c/2t = 267.85 ∗ VI. CONCLUSION

108s−2
T hef inesse, f = πR/(1 − R) = 4.44

In this experiment, we utilize multiple reflections of

D. Beam Profiling the incident beam to generate an interference pattern,
aiding in the identification of the spectral range. Achiev-
Along X Axis ing a higher finesse comes at the expense of a diminished
Micrometer spectral range, impacting the wavelength of the laser
Current(microA) beam.
reading
0 9.65
0.4 10.28
0.8 10.63 Wavelength of laser,λ = 705.6nm
1.2 10.86
1.6 11.04
2 11.20 The spacing between Etalon, t = 0.0056m
2.4 11.37
2.8 11.47
3.2 11.60
3.6 11.73
4 11.84
4.4 12.07
4.8 12.19
4.4 12.27
4 12.43
3.6 12.58
3.2 12.69
2.8 12.81 FIG. 2. Enter Caption
2.4 12.94
2 13.09
1.6 13.24
1.2 13.42
0.8 13.65
Free Spectral Range,F SR = 267.85 ∗ 108s−2
0.4 13.94
0 14.57

The Finesse, f = 4.44