Physics Air Wedge: What would happen if I changed the medium?

Question

In an air wedge, what would happen if I changed the air inside it to something different? That is, can someone please explain to me how it would effect the bands if water was used instead of air? (i.e. a greater refractive index) If possible, could someone tell me any relevant formulas that relate the total bands per centimeter and 'n'. cheers

Answer 1

I am assuming you are in reference to optical flats and parallels. Contaminating the gap with anything other than air will result in no band reading as the light will be scattered on the surface which is why the surface has to be clean.

In inches

Working Grade equal to or less than .000004

Master Grade equal to or less than .000002

Reference Grade equal to or less than .000001

In mm for working grade is .0003mm per band

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