 When used as a tunable narrow band filter , Michelson interferometers exhibit a number of advantages and disadvantages when compared with competing technologies such as Fabry – Pérot interferometers or Lyot filters . Michelson interferometers have the largest field of view for a specified wavelength , and are relatively simple in operation , since tuning is via mechanical rotation of waveplates rather than via high voltage control of piezoelectric crystals or lithium niobate optical modulators as used in a Fabry – Pérot system . Compared with Lyot filters , which use birefringent elements , Michelson interferometers have a relatively low temperature sensitivity . On the negative side , Michelson interferometers have a relatively restricted wavelength range and require use of prefilters which restrict transmittance . 
