Title: Investigation the interference and diffraction of light of double slit, single slit and determination of diameter of hair.

Objectives: To measure the distribution intensity and width of a single slit. To measure the diffraction pattern of distribution intensity, slit width and the separation distance of a double slit. To measure the diameter of hair.

Apparatus: HeNe laser, meter ruler, photodiode, ammeter, single slit set, double slit set, hair.

Introduction: a) Single slit If a light with a wavelength, falls onto a very small slit of width, b, then each point at the slit can be considered as starting point of a spherical wave. The diffraction pattern is formed on the screen due to interference of the sphere wave. If the pattern is analyzed according to Fraunhofer approximation, the intensity at point P on the screen, parallel to the slit is given by:

Equation 1

Where is the tilt angle from the point connecting the middle of the slit to the center point of the screen O to a point P, x is the minimum position and s is the distance between the middle of the slit to the center point of the screen O. The minimum intensity occurs when:

Equation 2 Where a >> x, the minima positions are evenly spaced as is small and Equation 3 The position of the second maxima is approximately at a half distance between minima ( ) Equation 4

b) Double slit The intensity of inference pattern for a small double slit (infinitesimal) is given by:

(
where d is the distance between the slits. The intensity of the diffraction wave by each slit is:

) Equation 5

] Equation 6

The combination of the interference and diffraction effects, results in the double slit diffraction pattern:

) [

Equation 7

Experimental method The HeNe laser (output = 1mW, = 632.8nm) was arranged such that the beam was parallel to the axis of the optical bench and falls on the provided slit as shown in figure 1. The intensity of light which comes through the slit was measured by aligning the position of photodiode detector. i. ii. iii. For single slit; the intensity distribution was plotted and the width of slit, b was calculated. For double slit; the intensity distribution was plotted, the width of slit, b and the spacing between the two slits was calculated. The same method of the single slit was used to measure the diameter of hair. Photodiode Laser Meter

Figure 1: The arrangement of the light intensity measurement from a small slit

Result: a) Single slit Table 1 : The experimental data for single slit X (cm) , x = 0.1cm -3.5 -3.0 -2.5 -2.0 -1.5 -1.0 -0.5 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 I (A) , I = 0.001A 1.100 1.140 1.220 1.580 1.940 2.400 4.300 4.400 4.240 3.000 1.800 1.320 1.160 1.060 1.020

b) Double slit Table 1 : The experimental data for double slit X (cm) , x = 0.1cm -3.5 -3.0 -2.5 -2.0 -1.5 -1.0 -0.5 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 I (A) , I = 0.001A 1.060 1.160 1.300 1.340 1.660 1.780 4.260 4.360 4.320 2.160 1.920 1.680 1.560 1.400 1.260

c) Diameter of hair Table 1 : The experimental data for diameter of hair X (cm) , x = 0.1cm -3.5 -3.0 -2.5 -2.0 -1.5 -1.0 -0.5 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 Uncertainty The uncertainty of x and s is 0.1cm while the uncertainty of I is 0.001A. Data Analysis The graph 1 shows intensity distribution of light using single slit, graph 2 shows intensity distribution of light using double slit, while graph 3 shows intensity distribution of light using hair. a) Calculation of the width of single slit x = distance from the = 2 cm s = distance between the middle of the slit to the center point = 55 cm minima to center point I (A) , I = 0.001A 1.020 1.040 1.140 1.480 2.200 2.760 4.200 4.340 4.220 2.540 1.720 1.280 1.000 0.980 0.980

Using

b) Calculation of the spacing between the two slits Equation 8 given that d is the slit separation, is the angle from the center of the pattern to the maximum, is the wavelength of the light, and m is the order. x = distance from the center of the pattern to the = 1.5 cm s = distance between the middle of the slit to the center point = 55 cm maximum

Using

c) Calculation of the width of slit of double slit

Equation 9 given that b is the slit width, is the angle of the first minimum for diffraction, and is the wavelength of the light, approximation of width of slit of double slit x = distance from the center of the pattern to the = 0.5 cm s = distance between the middle of the slit to the center point = 55 cm minimum

Using

d) Calculation of the diameter of hair x = distance from the = 2 cm s = distance between the middle of the slit to the center point = 55 cm minima to center point

Using

Error Analysis a) Uncertainty of the width of single slit =( ) = ( ) = sin = = = b = = = Thus, the width of single slit is m ( ( ) )

b) Uncertainty of the spacing between the two slits =( ) = ( ) = ( ( ) )

sin = = = d = = = Thus, the spacing between the two slits m

c) Uncertainty of the width of slit of double slit =( ) = ( ) = b = = = Thus, the width of slit of double slit is m ( ( ) )

d) Uncertainty of the diameter of hair =( ) = ( ) = sin = = = b = = ( ( ) )

= Thus, the diameter of hair is m

Discussion 1. Light is an electromagnetic wave that has wave properties. Thus it exhibits some common wave behaviors such as interference and diffraction. 2. Interference of light is a phenomenon in which two light waves met each other and combine through superposition to form a resultant light wave of greater or lower amplitude. 3. While diffraction of light is the phenomenon that described as the apparent bending of light waves around small obstacles and the spreading out of light waves when passing through small openings. 4. In the experiments, we should use photodiode with very small exposed surface area to improve the result. This can help to detect the significant change in light intensity accurately with small change in distance from center point. 5. We should use high sensitivity ammeter to increase the accuracy of experiment. This is because we can detect the small change in current produced by photodiode and reduce the uncertainty in experiment. 6. We should use high power HeNe laser during the experiment. This is because the effect of interference and diffraction in light intensity distribution will be more obvious and significant. Thus, we can obtain more accurate data. 7. To avoid the experimental error, we should carry out the experiment in a completely dark room with wide space. This will help to reduce the effect of external or reflected light. 8. To increase the accuracy of data, we should repeat the experiment to obtain many sets of readings. Hence the effect of random error can be minimized. Conclusion In single slit experiment, the value of width of a single slit is m. While in double slit experiment, the spacing between the two slits m and the width of slit of double slit is The diameter of hair calculated is m.

m.