Fabry-Pérot interferometer
Interferómetro de Fabry-Pérot
- Date
- 1899 · confidence high
- Place
- Marseille, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France
- Credited to
- Charles Fabry and Alfred Pérot
- Field
- Knowledge & symbols
What it is
Two parallel, partially reflecting mirrors between which light bounces many times and which transmit only very precise wavelengths. It makes it possible to measure wavelengths and fine structure of spectral lines with a much higher resolution than a prism or grating.
Fabry and Pérot, at the University of Marseille, presented it in 1897-1899 and used it, together with Benoît, to measure the metre in wavelengths (1906). It is now the basis of laser cavities.
What it led to
- the redefinition of standard wavelengths and the metre by light
- laser resonators and optical filters
- precision interferometry in astronomy and fibre communications