
    Dismiss Notice
Dismiss Notice
Join Physics Forums Today!

Homework Help: What is the wavelength of the light in the interposed material?

  1. Oct 30, 2008 #1
    A Michelson interferometer is operated in a vacuum, using monochromatic
    light of wavelength 589 nm. The interferometer is set up so that the distances
    between the moving mirror and the beam splitter and the fixed mirror and the
    beam splitter are equal. A parallel-sided object 1.2 cm in length and refractive
    index 1.4900 is then placed between the fixed mirror and the beam splitter.

    What is the change in the optical path length of the fixed arm that results?

    2. Relevant equations

    this is were I'm stuck, I dont know what equation to use, I have looked all over for an equation, but most use frequency

    3. The attempt at a solution
  2. jcsd
  3. Oct 30, 2008 #2


    User Avatar
    Homework Helper
    Gold Member

    What is the relationship between wavelength and frequency? ;0)