Multiple Reflection Interferometer -- from Eric Weisstein's World of Physics

M v

Multiple Reflection Interferometer

Constructive interference is obtained if the spacing between interferometer plates d is chosen such that

Then the reflected electric field is

From the Stokes relations
Therefore

so (2) becomes

and it must be true that

Alternating constructive and destructive interference is created if the spacing between interferometer plates is chosen such that

Then successive reflected waves will differ by radians in phase

where is the permittivity of free space. For a general arrangement,

where

The reflection coefficient is therefore given by

where

is the finesse coefficient. The transmission coefficient is given by

so

and

where is the finesse coefficient. As necessary by conservation of energy,

Beamsplitter, Fabry-Perot Interferometer, Finesse Coefficient, Interferometer, Michelson Interferometer