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The purpose of an interferometer is similar to that of a filter or monochromator , i.e., to isolate a specific portion of the electromagnetic spectrum . Unlike prism or grating monochromators, interferometers are not dispersive instruments, but use interference to selectively transmit a certain wavelength. The links below lead to descriptions of three interferometer designs. Types of interferometersFabry-Perot interferometer (etalon) Used in high-resolution applications, such as atomic spectroscopy or measurement of narrow-band laser linewidths. Michelson interferometerUsed in fourier-transform infrared absorption spectrometers (FTIR). Mach-Zender interferometerUsed to measure refractive index changes in gases and in interference microscopes to image transparent samples. Related TopicsOpticsOptical Materials
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