Question on the original Michelson-Morley Experiment

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The discussion centers on the historical context of the Michelson-Morley experiment, particularly the production of coherent light before the invention of lasers. It notes that Michelson likely used collimation techniques, such as slits, to achieve coherence in light beams. The conversation also highlights that sunlight can be split into two parts to create interference patterns, demonstrating coherence. Additionally, the use of a rotating mirror to generate light pulses is mentioned as part of Michelson's methodology. The thread emphasizes the innovative approaches taken in early physics experiments.
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Maybe this has more to do with the history of physics than physics itself. As you all know, the first Michelson interferometer was constructed in 1881. To my knowledge, the experiment requires a coherent source of light. Just wondering, if the experimental apparatus was constructed before the invention of the laser, then how did Albert Michelson produce coherent light?
 
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I'm guessing it was collimated through a sequence of slits.
 
as long as both beams of light are emitted by the same force, they can be considered coherent.

consider a sun ray, if you break up a sun beam into 2 parts, the two parts are going to be approximately (the difference being very small) identical, and as such can be used to construct interference patterns.

perform a double slit experiment on sunlight to see the effect.
 
A.A. Michelson and E.W. Morley, On the Relative Motion of the Earth and the Luminiferous. Aether
http://www.aip.org/history/gap/PDF/michelson.pdf
 
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