Measurement According To Foucault/Michelson

The Measurement According To Foucault/Michelson apparatus is designed to determine the speed of light using the classical rotating mirror technique developed by Foucault and Michelson. The experiment measures the displacement of a reflected light beam caused by the rotation of a high-speed mirror. By analyzing the image shift at different mirror speeds, students can accurately calculate the velocity of light and gain practical insight into one of the most important measurements in experimental physics. Manufactured by Atico Export India.

Principle

A linearly polarized He-Ne laser beam is reflected from a rapidly rotating mirror toward a distant fixed mirror and back again. During the time required for the light to complete its round trip, the rotating mirror turns through a small angle, causing the reflected image to shift. The image displacement is measured for different mirror rotational speeds, and the recorded values are used to calculate the velocity of light. Measuring the image shift over a range of rotational speeds provides improved experimental accuracy.

Objectives

• Determine the velocity of light using the rotating mirror method.
• Study the principles of the Foucault and Michelson experiments.
• Measure the image displacement caused by mirror rotation.
• Analyze the relationship between image shift and mirror rotational speed.
• Verify the experimental value of the speed of light.

System Components

Rotary Mirror :

• Quantity: 1

Linearly Polarized He-Ne Laser :

• Quantity: 1

Front-Silvered Mirror :

• Quantity: 1

Lens in Frame :

• Focal Length: 5 m
• Quantity: 1

Beam Splitter :

• Quantity: 1

Holder with Spring Clips :

• Quantity: 1

Glass Scale :

• Length: 5 cm
• Quantity: 1

Variable Transformer :

• Output: 0 to 250 V
• Quantity: 1

Two-Channel Analog Oscilloscope :

• Bandwidth: 30 MHz
• Quantity: 1

Semiconductor Detector :

• Quantity: 1

BNC Cable :

• Length: 1 m
• Quantity: 1

Straight BNC Adapter :

• Quantity: 1

Stand Rod :

• Length: 25 cm
• Diameter: 12 mm
• Quantity: 1

Stand Rod :

• Length: 47 cm
• Diameter: 12 mm
• Quantity: 1

Stand Rod :

• Length: 100 cm
• Diameter: 12 mm
• Quantity: 1

Large V-Shaped Stand Base :

• Quantity: 1

Small V-Shaped Stand Base :

• Quantity: 4

Saddle Base :

• Quantity: 1

Multi Clamp :

• Quantity: 2

Bosshead :

• Quantity: 1

Metal Rule :

• Length: 1 m
• Quantity: 1

High-Speed Rotary Mirror :

• Produces measurable image displacement for accurate light velocity determination.

Linearly Polarized He-Ne Laser :

• Provides a stable coherent light source for precise optical measurements.

Precision Optical Alignment :

• Optical components ensure accurate beam alignment and image formation.

Semiconductor Detection System :

• Enables reliable detection of the reflected laser beam.

Variable Speed Control :

• Adjustable transformer allows control of the rotating mirror speed.

Educational Design :

• Ideal for studying the speed of light, laser optics, and precision optical measurement techniques.