Interference rings by scattered light.
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| Title: | Interference rings by scattered light. |
|---|---|
| Authors: | Malloci, Giuliano1 (AUTHOR) giuliano.malloci@unica.it, Pegna, Guido1 (AUTHOR) guido.pegna@unica.it |
| Source: | American Journal of Physics. Mar2026, Vol. 94 Issue 3, p202-205. 4p. |
| Subjects: | Optical interference, Interferometers, Diffraction patterns, Lasers, Thin films, Displacement (Mechanics), Transparent solids, Refractive index |
| Abstract: | An experiment on light interference, which can be carried out at a very low cost and more easily than in the past, is revisited. This simple experiment is made possible by the availability of inexpensive collimated laser pointers. The observed circular interference pattern is beautiful; it is a source of wonder; and its interpretation is straightforward. Unlike many interferometers, the one presented in this work does not require alignment, and the interference fringes are well contrasted, stable, and clearly visible even to a large audience in a non-darkened environment. The explanation of the phenomenon has been developed in a straightforward manner, closely aligned with the experimental conditions. In addition, an original implementation is shown that allows the determination of the refractive index or thickness of thin sheets of transparent materials. Finally, a conceptually new interferometric device for determining small displacements and their variations is presented. Editor's Note: Optics instructors will want to try the demonstration described in this paper, which updates an often-overlooked geometry for illustrating both scattering and interference of light. The authors show how to simplify the analysis so that it is appropriate even for the introductory classroom. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Copyright of American Journal of Physics is the property of American Institute of Physics and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) | |
| Database: | Engineering Source |
| FullText | Text: Availability: 0 |
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| Header | DbId: egs DbLabel: Engineering Source An: 191768124 AccessLevel: 6 PubType: Academic Journal PubTypeId: academicJournal PreciseRelevancyScore: 0 |
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| Items | – Name: Title Label: Title Group: Ti Data: Interference rings by scattered light. – Name: Author Label: Authors Group: Au Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Malloci%2C+Giuliano%22">Malloci, Giuliano</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<i> giuliano.malloci@unica.it</i><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Pegna%2C+Guido%22">Pegna, Guido</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<i> guido.pegna@unica.it</i> – Name: TitleSource Label: Source Group: Src Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22American+Journal+of+Physics%22">American Journal of Physics</searchLink>. Mar2026, Vol. 94 Issue 3, p202-205. 4p. – Name: Subject Label: Subjects Group: Su Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Optical+interference%22">Optical interference</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Interferometers%22">Interferometers</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Diffraction+patterns%22">Diffraction patterns</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Lasers%22">Lasers</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Thin+films%22">Thin films</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Displacement+%28Mechanics%29%22">Displacement (Mechanics)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Transparent+solids%22">Transparent solids</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Refractive+index%22">Refractive index</searchLink> – Name: Abstract Label: Abstract Group: Ab Data: An experiment on light interference, which can be carried out at a very low cost and more easily than in the past, is revisited. This simple experiment is made possible by the availability of inexpensive collimated laser pointers. The observed circular interference pattern is beautiful; it is a source of wonder; and its interpretation is straightforward. Unlike many interferometers, the one presented in this work does not require alignment, and the interference fringes are well contrasted, stable, and clearly visible even to a large audience in a non-darkened environment. The explanation of the phenomenon has been developed in a straightforward manner, closely aligned with the experimental conditions. In addition, an original implementation is shown that allows the determination of the refractive index or thickness of thin sheets of transparent materials. Finally, a conceptually new interferometric device for determining small displacements and their variations is presented. Editor's Note: Optics instructors will want to try the demonstration described in this paper, which updates an often-overlooked geometry for illustrating both scattering and interference of light. The authors show how to simplify the analysis so that it is appropriate even for the introductory classroom. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] – Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright Label: Group: Ab Data: <i>Copyright of American Journal of Physics is the property of American Institute of Physics and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) |
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| RecordInfo | BibRecord: BibEntity: Identifiers: – Type: doi Value: 10.1119/5.0278586 Languages: – Code: eng Text: English PhysicalDescription: Pagination: PageCount: 4 StartPage: 202 Subjects: – SubjectFull: Optical interference Type: general – SubjectFull: Interferometers Type: general – SubjectFull: Diffraction patterns Type: general – SubjectFull: Lasers Type: general – SubjectFull: Thin films Type: general – SubjectFull: Displacement (Mechanics) Type: general – SubjectFull: Transparent solids Type: general – SubjectFull: Refractive index Type: general Titles: – TitleFull: Interference rings by scattered light. Type: main BibRelationships: HasContributorRelationships: – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Malloci, Giuliano – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Pegna, Guido IsPartOfRelationships: – BibEntity: Dates: – D: 01 M: 03 Text: Mar2026 Type: published Y: 2026 Identifiers: – Type: issn-print Value: 00029505 Numbering: – Type: volume Value: 94 – Type: issue Value: 3 Titles: – TitleFull: American Journal of Physics Type: main |
| ResultId | 1 |
