Department of Physics, A..

Calculations:

Reading of the cross wire when

edge of contact of glass plates
it
coincides with the
Iniversily, Chen
C

Reading of the cross wire when it (R)

with the thin
paper/wire coincides
Distance of the
from the edge ofthin paper/wire (R,)
contact X 102 m
Wavelength of sodium tght (9 (R, -
R)
Mean fringe width X 102 rm
.3 x 10
Thickness of the given .(B)
paper/wire (t)
X 102
m

tm,

52
 Determination of ruling width of a coRpact disc using Laser
6fi)
(ii)Determination of ruling width of a
6. compact disc using laser
Objective
determine the ruling width of a compact disc (CD) using laser source.
Ta
Materials and Apparatus
Laser SOurce
Compact disc (CD)
Meter scale Screen
Stand

Theory
of a given compact disc (CD) can be
Using grating principle, the ruling width already known. The ruling widths of
determined, if the wavelength of the laser light is reflected
the diffraction pattern formed by the
the CD acts as a reflection grating. From diffraction
oblique incidence, using the
light from the CD as shown in Fig.6.4, for
formula, the ruling width d is given by

n (1)
d=

cos tan

In Fig.6.4,
nd = dcos ,, (2)
diffraction angle of the nh order, d is
wiere n is the order of diffraction pattern, 0. is
of the laser beam. So,
wiath of the ring in CD and 0 is the wavelength

tan , (3)

0,n = tan
By m
measuring
So, the
Y, and L, one can find the value of cOS 0

ruling width is calculated by using Eq.(2) as

d= (4)
cos,

59
 Department of Physics, Anna Universtty,
Procedure Chennai
1. Take a CD and using a stand, place it horizontally with the ulings
2. Align the He-Ne laser as shown in Fig.6.4 (about 300 inclined from the
facing up-side
3. Turn on the laser source. horizontal
4. Orient the disc so that the laser beam strikes radially along the
disc. outer half of the
5. If the CD is removed from the line of laser
beam, the beam will strike the screer
at point A.
6. By adjusting the angle of incidence of the laser
light on
diffraction patterns (dots) should be formed on the scteen. CD, a clear circular
7. The plane containing the CD strikes the
screen at C.
8. Measure the distance L between the CD and the
screen.
9. From central bight spot B, the
measured.
distances
of different order spots (like D) can be
10. Change the distance between the CD
and screen (like 35cm, 40cm and 5Ocm) and
repeat steps 4-9.

Precautions
1. Make sure the laser light is
not viewed directly with naked eye.
Diagram of the experiment:

Laser
D (= +y1)

Compact disc B(= +y0)

C (y-0)

A (=-y0)

Stand
L
Sereen
Fig. 6.4

60
 petermination of ruling width ofa compact disc using Laser
Result

Fulihg width of the given

compact disc
the

Ánalysis Questions
grating?
i. What is
diffraction?
2. What is
elementp
2 How CD acts as a grating
4. How to
the period of the grating?
define

.wil there be any difference in diffractions pattern i£ the laset ight falls on the
aear middle portion and the near outer portion of the CD?

61
 Tables = 6328 A = 6328 x 110 "m
light from He-Ne laser
Wavelength of the

between
|Distance between Distance
the central
Order thescreen and d=
the CD (L) maxima and higher tan 0, -=
z 10 m,
order fringe
m
z10 m.

Mean value of d:

62