Intensities in Wave Optics

(Russia TST Y2021, Pr.2)

Part-A
A plane monochromatic wave with a wavelength λ of intensity I0 is
incident on a round hole of radius R0 in an opaque plane parallel to
the
√ hole axis. Behind the plane is a screen at a distance L. Consider
λL
R0 ≥ 1.

1. Estimate the spot radius R on the screen.

2. Estimate the intensity I at the center of the spot.
3. Estimate the minimum achievable spot radius Rmin by varying
the hole radius.

Part-B
A plane monochromatic wave with a wavelength λ of intensity I0 is
incident on a lens of diameter D and focal length F parallel to the lens
axis.
1. Estimate the spot diameter DF at the focus of the lens.
2. Estimate the IF intensity at the lens focus from energy consid-
erations.
3. Now calculate the answer for the IF intensity at the focus of the
lens exactly. Compare with the previous question.

Part-C
A plane monochromatic wave with wavelength λ and intensity I0 is
incident on an ideal parabolic mirror of parabola parameter p and
diameter D parallel to the mirror axis. This,

1
 1. Find the focal length F of the mirror.
2. Estimate the intensity I at the focus of the mirror.
3. By how many times will this value change when the wavelength
is halved?

Part-D
An ideal spherical mirror with a radius R = 1m and a diameter D was
illuminated with a beam of rays with a wavelength of λ = 800nm and
with an intensity of I0 parallel to the axis of the mirror.

1. Find the focal length F of the mirror.

2. Estimate the spot size d in the focal plane of the mirror, for two
mirror diameters: D1 = 1cm, D2 = 15cm.
3. For these two mirror diameters (D1 = 1cm, D2 = 15cm) estimate
the intensity at the focus.
4. How do the intensities at the focus found in the last question
depend on the wavelength λ?

2
Part-E
A normally plane wave is incident on a diffraction grating with a pe-
riod d and a slit width a. Wavelength λ = d/100, plane wave intensity
IS .

Below, the intensity of the maximum should be understood as the

intensity of a plane wave propagating in the direction of the maximum
with number h.

1. Determine the intensity of the zero maximum I0 . Express your

answer in general terms of d and a. Specify the answer for d = 3a.

2. Determine the intensity Ih of the maximum with number h. Ex-

press your answer in general terms of d and a. Specify the answer
for d = 3a.

3. What fraction of the energy β falls into all the maxima on the
screen, except for the zero one (h ̸= 0)? Calculate the answer for
d = 3a.

4. What fraction of the energy γ is absorbed by the non-transmitting

part of the diffraction grating? Calculate the answer for d = 3a.