Important Questions and Answers On Diffraction and Interference Part 1

You might also like

Download as pdf or txt
Download as pdf or txt
You are on page 1of 9

1

>>>How do coherent sources are produced in bi-prism arrangement ?


In a bi-prism arrangement, coherent sources are produced by splitting a beam of light into two
paths using a prism. These two paths then converge at a second prism, which causes interference
between the two paths. This interference produces a series of bright and dark fringes on a screen
placed behind the second prism. The distance between the fringes is determined by the
wavelength of the light and the distance between the two prisms. By adjusting the distance
between the prisms, the spacing between the fringes can be changed. This arrangement is
commonly used in interferometry, a technique used to measure small distances and surface
irregularities.
>>>How do coherent sources are produced in Newton's ring arrangement ?
In Newton's ring arrangement, coherent sources are produced by placing a convex lens on a flat
glass plate. The air gap between the two surfaces forms a wedge-shaped film of varying
thickness. When a beam of light is incident on the lens, it gets partially reflected from both the
upper and lower surfaces of the film. The reflected beams interfere with each other, producing a
pattern of bright and dark rings on a screen placed above the lens. These rings are known as
Newton's rings and are used in interferometry to measure the flatness of surfaces and the
thickness of transparent objects.
>>>Give the construction and theory of a plane transmission grating and show how
you would use it to find the wavelength of light .
A plane transmission grating is a type of diffraction grating that consists of a large number of
parallel wires separated by a small distance. It can be easily constructed by drawing a large
number of closely spaced lines on a plane transparent plate like glass with a sharp diamond
point².
The theory behind the use of a plane transmission grating to find the wavelength of light is based
on the fact that when light passes through the grating, it is diffracted into many different
directions. The angle at which the light is diffracted depends on the wavelength of the light and
the spacing between the wires in the grating³.
To find the wavelength of light using a plane transmission grating, you can use a spectrometer.
The spectrometer will allow you to measure the angle at which the light is diffracted by the
grating. By measuring this angle and knowing the spacing between the wires in the grating, you
can calculate the wavelength of light using Bragg's law¹⁴.
>>>Explain clearly what's meant by resolving power of an optical instrument
according to Rayleigh's creation .
The resolving power of an optical instrument is its ability to distinguish two closely spaced
objects as separate entities. Rayleigh's criterion states that two point sources are just resolvable
when the central maximum of one image is coincident with the first minimum of the other
image. This is achieved when the angular separation between the two objects is equal to or
greater than the angle corresponding to the first minimum of the diffraction pattern produced by
a single object. The smaller the angle, the better the resolving power of the instrument. This
criterion is widely used in astronomy and microscopy to determine the limit of resolution of
telescopes and microscopes.
>>>What are the importance of resolving power of grating and how can it be
improved?
According to ¹, **resolving power of grating** is its ability to form two separate maxima of
two wavelengths which are very close to each other. It is defined as the ratio of the wavelength
of one of the spectral line to the difference in the wavelengths between them such that the two
2

lines appear to be just resolved. The resolving power of grating depends on the number of slits
illuminated and the order of diffraction. The higher the number of slits and the order, the higher
the resolving power. The formula for resolving power of grating is:

𝜆
𝑅= = 𝑛𝑁
Δ𝜆
where λ is the wavelength of light, Δ𝜆 is the smallest wavelength difference that can be resolved,
n is the order of diffraction and N is the number of slits illuminated.

Some ways to improve the resolving power of grating are:

- Increasing the number of slits illuminated by using a wider slit or a larger grating.
- Increasing the order of diffraction by using a smaller wavelength or a smaller grating spacing.
- Reducing the width of each slit by using a finer grating or a sharper edge.
- Reducing the aberrations in the optical system by using lenses or mirrors with better quality and
alignment.

>>>Deduce the missing orders for a double slit Fraunhofer diffraction pattern if the
widths are 8.8 *(10^ -3 ) cm and they are 4.4* (10 ^ -2 ) cm apart .

To deduce the missing orders for a double slit Fraunhofer diffraction pattern, we need to find the
values of m for which the interference maxima coincide with the diffraction minima. According
to 1, the condition for interference maxima is:

(a+b)sinθ=mλ

where a is the slit width, b is the slit separation, θ is the angle of diffraction, m is the order of
interference and λ is the wavelength of light.

The condition for diffraction minima is:

asinθ=nλ

where n is an integer.

Equating these two equations, we get:

(a+b)sinθ=asinθ+nλ

Simplifying, we get:

𝑚 𝑎+𝑏
=
𝑛 𝑎

Substituting the given values of a and b, we get:


3

𝑚 0.088 + 0.44
= =6
𝑛 0.088

Therefore, the missing orders are those for which m is a multiple of 6, such as 6th, 12th, 18th,
etc.

>>>Discuss analytically the distribution of intensity in the diffraction pattern due to


a single slit .

The distribution of intensity in the diffraction pattern due to a single slit can be analyzed using
the Huygens-Fresnel principle and the phasor method. According to 1, we can consider the slit as
a collection of N point sources that emit spherical waves with equal amplitude and phase. The
amplitude of the resultant wave at any point on the screen depends on the phase difference
between the waves from the first and the last sources. The phase difference is given by:

2𝜋
𝜙= asin 𝜃
𝜆

where λ is the wavelength of light, a is the slit width, and θ is the angle of diffraction.

Using the phasor method, we can represent each wave as a vector with magnitude ΔE0 and
direction determined by its phase. The resultant vector is obtained by adding all the vectors tip to
tail. The magnitude of the resultant vector is E, and its intensity is proportional to E2. The phasor
diagrams for different values of θ are shown in 1.

The intensity at any point on the screen is given by:

sin 𝛽 2
𝐼 = 𝐼0 ( )
𝛽

1 𝜋 sin 𝛽
where I0 is the intensity at the center of the pattern, 𝛽 = 2 𝜙 = 𝜆 𝑎 sin 𝜃 , and is called the
𝛽
single-slit diffraction factor.

The intensity distribution has a central maximum at θ=0, where I=I0, and a series of secondary
maxima and minima at other values of θ. The minima occur when β is an integer multiple of π,
or equivalently, when:

asinθ=mλ

where m is an integer. The maxima occur when β is an odd multiple of 2π, or equivalently,
when:

1
𝑎 sin 𝜃 = (𝑚 + ) 𝜆
2
4

where m is an integer. The intensity of the maxima decreases as m increases, because the phasors
form tighter spirals and cancel each other more. The angular width of the central maximum is
approximately twice that of the secondary maxima.

>>> Discuss the theory of a diffraction grating . How would you use a transmission grating to
determine the wavelength of light .

A diffraction grating is an optical device that consists of a large number of equally spaced
parallel slits that produce interference patterns similar to a double slit. According to 1, the
condition for constructive interference at any point on the screen is:

dsinθ=mλ

where d is the slit separation, θ is the angle of diffraction, m is the order of the maximum, and λ
is the wavelength of light.

The intensity distribution of the diffraction pattern depends on the number of slits N and the
single-slit diffraction factor. According to 1, the intensity at any point on the screen is given by:

sin 𝛽 2 sin 𝑁𝛾 2
𝐼 = 𝐼0 ( ) ( )
𝛽 sin 𝛾
𝜋 𝜋
where I0 is the intensity at the center of the pattern, 𝛽 = 𝜆 𝑎 sin 𝜃 , 𝛾 = 𝜆 𝑑sin 𝜃 and a is the
slit width.

The intensity distribution has a series of bright and dark fringes that are narrower and brighter
than those of a double slit. The bright fringes occur when sin 𝜃 is a multiple of λ/d , and the dark
fringes occur when sinNγ is zero.

To use a transmission grating to determine the wavelength of light, we can follow these steps 2:

• Set up a spectrometer with a collimator, a telescope, and a grating holder.


• Adjust the collimator and telescope to obtain parallel rays of light and a clear image of
the slit.
• Place the grating in the holder and rotate it until it is perpendicular to the incident light.
• Observe the diffraction pattern through the telescope and measure the angles of the first-
order maxima on both sides of the central maximum.
• Use the formula dsinθ=mλ to calculate the wavelength of light, where d is the known slit
separation of the grating, θ is the average angle of the first-order maxima, and m=1.

>>>Discuss Fraunhaffer’s diffraction due to a single slit .

Fraunhofer diffraction due to a single slit can be explained as follows 2:


5

• Consider a parallel beam of monochromatic light of wavelength λ incident on a slit of


width a as shown in the figure.
• According to Huygen’s theory, every point of the wavefront in the plane of the slit acts as
a secondary source and sends secondary waves in all directions.
• The rays traveling normally are made to focus at P and rays diffracted through θ are made
to focus at P′. Thus in figure AB, CD and EF are diffracted rays through angle θ.
• To find out the resultant intensity at point P′, draw AG perpendicular to all diffracted
rays. Thus, the path difference between extreme diffracted rays is EG=asinθ and the
2𝜋
phase difference is 𝜙 = 𝜆 𝑎sin 𝜃.
• Let us consider that the given slit is divided into N number of very small parallel slits and
a be the amplitude of wave from each slit. The phase difference between any two
𝜙 2𝜋
successive waves will be = 𝑎sin 𝜃.
𝑁 𝜆𝑁
• Since the secondary waves from each point of the slit are oriented from the same incident
wavefront, their amplitudes are the same, hence the intensity distribution at point P′ is
due to phase difference only. The condition for the resultant can be derived by using the
amplitude phase diagram as shown in figure (2).
• Consider that the slit is divided into a large number of strips, say N, due to which the
phase diagram takes the form of an arc of a circle of radius R, say. The distribution of
intensity at point P′ due to each strip changes from 0 to ϕ (i.e. 0 to 2α). Now the resultant
𝐵𝐶
amplitude is AB=A, say. From right-angled △OCB, sin 𝛼 = 𝑅 ⇒ 𝐵𝐶 = 𝑅sin 𝛼But
resultant amplitude A=AB=2CB⇒A=2Rsinα. Now the total number of slits is N, each
having amplitude a and 2α is the phase angle between first and last amplitude vector (i.e.
𝑁𝑎 𝑁𝑎
secondary wavelet). Therefore, 2𝛼 = ⇒𝑅= Using this in above equation, we get:
𝑅 2𝛼

A=2Rsinα=(Nasin α )/ α

where A0=Na is total or maximum amplitude of disturbance due to N wavelets each of


amplitude a. Therefore,

sin 𝛼
𝐴 = 𝐴0
𝛼

where α=λπasinθ. The intensity at any point on the screen is proportional to A2, so

sin 𝛼 2
𝐼 = 𝐼0 ( ) where I0=A02 is the intensity at the center of the pattern.
𝛼

The intensity distribution has a central maximum at θ=0, where I=I0, and a series of secondary
maxima and minima at other values of θ. The minima occur when sinα=0, or equivalently, when:

asinθ=mλ
6

sin 𝛼
where m is an integer. The maxima occur when has local maxima, or equivalently, when:
𝛼

asinθ=(m+1/2)λ

where m is an integer. The intensity of the maxima decreases as m increases, because the phasors
form tighter spirals and cancel each other more. The angular width of the central maximum is
approximately twice that of the secondary maxima.

>>> What are Newton's rings and how are they formed ?

Newton's rings are a series of bright and dark fringes that can be observed when a plano-convex
lens is placed on top of a flat surface, such as a glass plate. They are named after Sir Isaac
Newton, who first studied them in 1717. The rings are formed due to the interference of light
between the two surfaces, as the light waves reflect off the surfaces and interfere with each other.
The bright and dark fringes are caused by the constructive and destructive interference of the
light waves, respectively. The pattern of the rings can be used to measure the curvature of the
lens and the refractive index of the medium between the two surfaces.

>>> Give with necessary theory ,the Newton's ring method for determination of wavelength of
monochromatic light .

Newton’s ring method is a technique that uses the interference of light between two
surfaces, typically a spherical surface and an adjacent touching flat surface, to
determine the wavelength of monochromatic light. The method is based on the following
steps 1:

• A plano-convex lens of a long focal length is placed on a plane glass plate,


forming a thin air film between them. The thickness of the air film varies from
zero at the point of contact to some maximum value at the edges.
• A monochromatic light source, such as a sodium lamp or a laser, is used to
illuminate the lens-plate system normally. A converging lens is placed between
the source and the system to make the incident light parallel.
• The interference pattern formed by the reflection of light from the top and bottom
surfaces of the air film is observed through a microscope placed above the
system. The pattern consists of a series of concentric bright and dark rings
centered at the point of contact. These rings are called Newton’s rings.
• The radius of each ring is measured using a micrometer screw attached to the
microscope. The radius of curvature of the spherical surface is also measured
using a spherometer.
• The wavelength of the monochromatic light is calculated using the formula:
2
𝐷𝑚 − 𝐷𝑛2
𝜆=
4𝑅(𝑚 − 𝑛)

>>>What is the difference between the fringes produced by Newton's ring method and
double slit arrangement ?
7

The fringes produced by Newton’s ring method and double slit arrangement are
different in the following ways:

• The fringes produced by Newton’s ring method are circular, while the fringes
produced by double slit arrangement are straight and parallel.
• The fringes produced by Newton’s ring method are due to thin film interference,
while the fringes produced by double slit arrangement are due to division of
wavefront.
• The fringes produced by Newton’s ring method have varying width and intensity,
while the fringes produced by double slit arrangement have equal width and
intensity.
• The fringes produced by Newton’s ring method depend on the radius of curvature
of the spherical surface and the wavelength of light, while the fringes produced
by double slit arrangement depend on the slit separation and the wavelength of
light.

>>> Deduce the conditions of interference maxima and minima for the transmitted
beams through a thin film .

To deduce the conditions of interference maxima and minima for the transmitted beams through
a thin film, we can use the following steps:

• Consider a thin film of thickness t and refractive index n placed between two media of
refractive indices n1 and n2, where n1<n<n2. A ray of light AB is incident on the film at
an angle i and is partially reflected as BC and partially transmitted as BD. The
transmitted ray is again partially reflected as DE and partially transmitted as DF. The rays
BC and DE interfere in the medium of refractive index n1, while the rays BD and DF
interfere in the medium of refractive index n2.
• The path difference between the transmitted rays BD and DF is given by:

𝜆
𝛿 = 2𝑡 cos 𝑟 −
2

where t is the thickness of the film, λ is the wavelength of light in vacuum, r is the angle of
refraction in the film, and λ/2 is the phase change due to reflection from a denser medium.

• The interference is constructive or destructive depending on whether δ is an integer


multiple or an odd multiple of λ/2, respectively. Therefore, the conditions for interference
maxima and minima for the transmitted beams are:

𝜆 𝜆
𝛿 = 2𝑡 cos 𝑟 − =𝑚 .
2 2

for maxima, where m is an integer, and


8

𝜆 1 𝜆
𝛿 = 2𝑡cos 𝑟 − = (𝑚 + )
2 2 2

for minima, where m is an integer.

>>>Write a short note on Frenel's bi-prism

Fresnel's biprism is an optical instrument used to split a light beam into two coherent beams,
which can be used to study interference and diffraction. In the experiment, a narrow light beam is
passed through a slit and falls on the biprism. The biprism divides the beam into two coherent
beams, which propagate in slightly different directions. The two beams interfere with each other,
creating a pattern of bright and dark fringes on a screen placed behind the biprism. By studying
this interference pattern, the wavelength of the light beam and other optical properties can be
determined. The biprism consists of two small triangular prisms placed base to base with two
refracting angles of 1.5 degrees.

>>> Discuss why independent sources of light of the same wavelength can't produce
interference fringes .

Independent sources of light of the same wavelength can’t produce interference fringes
because they are not coherent. Coherence is the property of two or more waves that
have a fixed phase relationship with each other. Coherent waves have constant phase
difference and constant amplitude ratio, which means they interfere constructively or
destructively at fixed points in space and time. Independent sources of light, on the
other hand, have random phase difference and varying amplitude ratio, which means
they interfere randomly and unpredictably at different points in space and time. The
result is a uniform distribution of light intensity, rather than a pattern of bright and dark
fringes. Therefore, to produce interference fringes, we need to use coherent sources of
light, such as a single source split into two beams by a beam splitter or a double slit, or
two sources derived from the same source by division of amplitude or division of
wavefront.

>>> What do you understand by dextro and levo substances? Explain with example

Dextro and levo substances are terms that refer to the optical activity of chemical
compounds that can rotate the plane of polarized light. Dextro substances are those
that can rotate the plane of polarized light to the right side or clockwise, while levo
substances are those that can rotate the plane of polarized light to the left side or
anticlockwise. The terms dextro and levo come from the Latin words dexter and laevus,
meaning right and left, respectively. They are also abbreviated as d and l, respectively.
Optical activity is a property of some molecules that have a chiral center, which is an
atom that is bonded to four different groups. Chiral molecules exist in two mirror-image
forms called enantiomers, which have identical physical and chemical properties except
9

for their interaction with polarized light and other chiral molecules. Enantiomers are also
called optical isomers because they differ only in their optical activity.
An example of a dextro and levo substance is tartaric acid, which has two chiral centers
and four possible stereoisomers. Two of them are enantiomers: D-tartaric acid and L-
tartaric acid. D-tartaric acid rotates the plane of polarized light to the right by 12.7
degrees, while L-tartaric acid rotates it to the left by the same amount. The other two
stereoisomers are meso-tartaric acid and racemic tartaric acid, which are not optically
active because they have an internal plane of symmetry or a 1:1 mixture of
enantiomers, respectively.

You might also like