B.

TECH, SEMESTER-I/II
ENGINEERING PHYSICS
DR. SIDDHESHWAR CHOPRA
 MODULE: WAVE OPTICS INTERFERENCE

E- Content developed by Dr. Siddheshwar Chopra, Dept. of Applied Physics, Amity University, Noida.
INTRODUCTION
Wave Optics is the branch of optics dealing with the nature of Light and
its propagation.

It deals with phenomenon like Interference, Diffraction and polarization

which can be discussed in the light of Huygen’s wave theory of light
(proposed in 1678).
 INTRODUCTION TO INTERFERENCE
It is a phenomenon in which two or more waves of same frequency and constant phase difference superimpose to
form a resultant wave of redistributed intensity.

The equation representing a sinusoidal wave moving along x-axis is:

y = a.sin(kx-wt), where a= Amplitude, k=2π/λ (Wavenumber) and w= 2πν (Angular frequency).

Let’s consider two waves with amplitudes ‘a’ and ‘b’: y1 = a.sin(kx-wt) and y2 = b.sin(kx-wt+δ), where δ is called the
phase of the wave.

Then the Intensity of the resultant wave after interference is, I:

I = I1+I2+2√I1√I2. cosδ. Here, δ is called Phase difference between the two waves. Note: Intensity α (Amplitude)2
 TYPES OF INTERFERENCE
Constructive Intereference:

Occurs at points of Maximum Intensity, Imax= (a+b)2 (when

cosδ=1 or δ=2nπ OR ∆= nλ)

Destructive Intereference:

Occurs at points of Minimum Intensity, Imin= (a-b)2 (when

1
cosδ=0 or δ= (2n±1)π OR ∆= (n± )λ)
2

Average Intensity in an Interference pattern is,

Iavg= a2+b2= I1+I2 ( Law of conservation of energy)

λ
Note: Path difference, ∆= x Phase difference (δ)
2π
COHERENT SOURCES
These are the sources of light which produce waves of equal frequency in all
directions such that the phase difference between the waves should either be zero or
remains constant with time.

Various methods/experiments to generate coherent sources:

 Young’s double slit
 Fresnel Biprism
 Michelson Interferometer
 Newton’s Rings
δ
CONDITIONS OF SUSTAINED INTERFERENCE
Sustained interference pattern is the one with high visibility/contrast.
 Use of coherent sources
 Use of monochromatic light.
 Wavefronts must be in similar state of polarization.
 Source separation must be very small (~λ of light used)
 Source-Screen distance must be very large.
 The amplitudes (a,b) of the interfering waves must be ideally same.
 Sources/slits must be narrow
 METHODS TO PRODUCE INTERFERENCE
Division of Wavefront
Primary Wavefront gets divided into secondary wavefronts which then result
in an Interference pattern. Example: Young’s double slit and Fresnel Biprism
experiments.

Division of Amplitude
The amplitude of incoming light beam gets divided due to partial reflection
or refraction and then the interference between the divided beams result in
an Interference pattern. This class of interference requires broad source of
light. Example: Uniform thin film/Wedge shaped film and Newton’s rings
experiments.
 INTERFERENCE IN PLANE PARALLEL THIN FILM
REFLECTED
LIGHT
REFLECTED LIGHT CASE PATTERN

A ray (SA) of monochromatic light be incident at

an angle ‘i’ on a parallel-sided transparent thin
film of thickness ‘t’ and refractive index ‘μ’.

The optical path difference between the two

reflected rays is:
∆ = path ABC in film - path AN in air
= μ(AB+BC)- AN ----1)

TRANSMITTED
LIGHT
PATTERN
INTERFERENCE IN PLANE PARALLEL THIN FILM
From Figure,

: As BM= t

Hence,
 INTERFERENCE IN PLANE PARALLEL THIN FILM
Substituting for AB, BC and AN in 1), we get,

Incorporating Stokes’ treatment for phase change, we get,

∆= 2μtcos(r)+λ/2
Stokes’ treatment for phase change
When a light travelling from a rarer medium, gets reflected by the surface of a denser
medium, then it suffers a phase change of ‘π’ (or ∆= λ/2). But no phase change occurs for the
vice-versa case.
INTERFERENCE IN PLANE PARALLEL THIN FILM
REFLECTED LIGHT CASE

Condition for Maxima:

∆= 2μtcos(r)+λ/2 = nλ => 2μtcos(r)= (2n-1) λ/2, n= 1,2,3…

Condition for Minima:

1
∆= 2μtcos(r)+λ/2 = (n+ )λ => 2μtcos(r)= nλ, n= 0,1,2…
2
INTERFERENCE IN PLANE PARALLEL THIN FILM
REFLECTED LIGHT CASE

Condition for Maxima:

∆= 2μtcos(r)+λ/2 = nλ => 2μtcos(r)= (2n-1) λ/2, n= 1,2,3…

Condition for Minima:

1
∆= 2μtcos(r)+λ/2 = (n+ )λ => 2μtcos(r)= nλ, n= 0,1,2…
2
 INTERFERENCE IN PLANE PARALLEL THIN FILM
Similarly in TRANSMITTED LIGHT CASE:

Condition for Maxima:

1
∆= 2μtcos(r)+λ/2 = (n+ )λ => 2μtcos(r)= nλ, n= 0,1,2…
2

Condition for Minima:

∆= 2μtcos(r)+λ/2 = nλ => 2μtcos(r)= (2n-1) λ/2, n= 1,2,3…

Interference patterns obtained in reflected and transmitted
lights cases are complimentary to each other.