Mach-Zehnder optical system as a sensitive measuring instrument

A laser interferometric measurement technique that uses a Mach-Zehnder interferometer is developed. This technique permits studies of the physical processes that involve a change in the refractive index with temperature to a high degree of accuracy. A theoretical derivation has been formulated to permit computation of the refractive index of transparent materials. The technique is particularly useful in studying slight changes in refractive index of various gases, solutions over a considerable region, and flow patterns in wind tunnels.