Briefly describe what an “Interferometer” is, how it works, and what it is used to do

1. Briefly describewhat an “Interferometer” is,how it works, andwhat it is usedto do?
Purpose:toknowwhetherMichelsoninterferometerisusedandwhythe resultsmatter.
The structure of an interferometerisbestillustratedwithanimage:
The Michelsoninterferometerproducesinterference fringesbysplittingabeamof lightsothat one
beamstrikesa fixedmirrorandthe othera movable mirror.Whenthe reflectedbeamsare broughtback
together,aninterference patternresults.Itisthis interference thatthe researchersare interestedin.
To establisha“pure”vacuum like environment,thisexperimentisdone inthe basement,eliminating
mostthermal and vibrational effectsastheyall have agreat effectonthe behaviorof lightwaves.
The experimentintendstomeasure the speedof lightinperpendiculardirections,inanattemptto
detectthe relative motionof matterthroughthe stationary “luminiferous aether”, (vacuum
environment)