Fresnel biprism experiment
The Fresnel biprism experiment is an optical experimental setup presented by Augustin Jean Fresnel . Similar to the Fresnel double mirror, it was used to demonstrate interference phenomena .
Instead of a point light source or a light source with a parallel beam path , he used a biprism . Here the light is refracted as if it were not coming from a divergent , but from two separate, virtual light sources.
In Fresnel's experimental setup, a light source shone through a single slit onto the surface of the biprism. Interference phenomena can now be observed on a screen placed behind it . Today, instead of a single slit, optics are used to generate a parallel beam path.