interferometer
Light wave analyzer
An interferometer is an instrument that splits light or other waves into separate paths, then recombines them to produce interference patterns.
These patterns reveal minute differences in path length, wavelength, or phase—enabling extremely precise measurements.
Interferometers detect gravitational waves, measure the diameter of distant stars, and test optical components: The LIGO interferometer detected ripples in spacetime from colliding black holes.
Measures electromagnetic radiation properties
- spectrophotometerLight-measuring analytical instrument
- refractometerOptical index-measuring device
- radiometerRadiant energy measuring device
- magnetometerInstrument measuring field strength
telescope · microscope · oscilloscope · gravimeter · accelerometer · gyroscope · laser · detector
Spatial repetition interval
- frequencyRate of recurrence
- amplitudeMaximum oscillation displacement
- phaseDistinct period in sequence
- coherenceLogical internal consistency
monochromatic · polarization · standing wave · traveling wave · electromagnetic · optical · radio · acoustic
Spatial repetition interval
- displacementRemoval from usual location
- strainExcessive stretching force
- vibrationRapid oscillating movement
- distanceSpace between two points
thickness · planarity · nanometer · picometer · angstrom · calibration · resolution · sensitivity
Divides light into paths
- constructivePromoting positive development
- destructiveCausing severe harm
- superpositionCoexisting in multiple states
- coherenceLogical internal consistency
phase shift · recombination · splitting · null · visibility · contrast · wavefront
Propagating curvature in spacetime
- binary starsTwo stars orbiting together
- seismologyStudy of ground tremors
- geodesyEarth measurement science
- spectroscopyStudy of light-matter interaction
spectrometer
Measures electromagnetic radiation properties
- spectrophotometerLight-measuring analytical instrument
- refractometerOptical index-measuring device
- radiometerRadiant energy measuring device
magnetometer · telescope · microscope · oscilloscope · gravimeter · accelerometer · gyroscope · laser · detector · mirror
wavelength
Spatial repetition interval
- frequencyRate of recurrence
- amplitudeMaximum oscillation displacement
- phaseDistinct period in sequence
coherence · monochromatic · polarization · standing wave · traveling wave · electromagnetic · optical · radio · acoustic · diffraction
wavelength
Spatial repetition interval
- displacementRemoval from usual location
- strainExcessive stretching force
- vibrationRapid oscillating movement
distance · thickness · planarity · nanometer · picometer · angstrom · calibration · resolution · sensitivity · precision
beamsplitter
Divides light into paths
- constructivePromoting positive development
- destructiveCausing severe harm
- superpositionCoexisting in multiple states
coherence · phase shift · recombination · splitting · null · visibility · contrast · wavefront
gravitational waves
Propagating curvature in spacetime
- binary starsTwo stars orbiting together
- seismologyStudy of ground tremors
- geodesyEarth measurement science
Michelson
Physicist of optics
atom · neutron · electron · X-ray · holographic · nulling · differential
interferometerspectrometer
Measures electromagnetic radiation properties
photometer · radiometer · calorimeter · particle detector · Geiger counter