Young’s double slit experiment:

In 1801 , Young demonstrated the phenomenon of interference of light which gave

strong support for wave theory of light.
Determination of fringe width and wavelength :
Principle:
This experiment was based on Huygens's principle. According to this principle , a
monochromatic source of light sends out spherical wavefronts. These wavefront
reaching to the slits produce secondary wave of same amplitude and frequency which
are in phase. The appearance of bright and dark bands on the screen are known as
fringes.
Experimental arrangement:
let ‘S’ be the monochromatic source of light. S1 and S2 are two slits separated by ‘d’
distance apart. Let ‘D’ be the distance between two slits and screen. Suppose a point O
on the screen which is perpendicular bisector of the distance between two slits S1 and S2 .
Therefore the path difference between two waves reaching at ‘O’ is zero and hence they
are in phase. As a result, the intensity at point ‘o’ is maximum called central maxima or
central bright fringe.
Let us suppose another point ‘P’ on the screen, which is at ‘yn’ distance from the
point ‘O’. The path difference between two waves reaching at point ‘P’ from S1 and S2 is
given by,
Contd…..
Path diff.=S2 P - S1 P = S2 N
Here, S1 N is perpendicular to S2P
Since, the distance between S1 and S2 is very small
in comparison with MP,
∴ ∡𝑂𝑀𝑃 = ∡ 𝑆2 𝑆1 𝑁 = 𝜃
Now, in right angled tringle S2NS1,
𝑆2𝑁
𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃 =
𝑆1𝑆2

𝑆2𝑁 𝜽 n
𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃 = ………………(i)
𝑑
S O
Again, in right angled triangle MOP
𝑂𝑃 𝑦𝑛
𝑇𝑖𝑛 𝜃 = = ……………….(ii) N
𝑀𝑂 𝐷
For small angle the value of sin 𝜃 and Tan 𝜃 is
approximately equal,
𝑆2𝑁 𝑦𝑛
∴ = D
𝑑 𝐷
𝑦𝑛d
Or, S2 N = Fig: Experimental arrangement of Young’s double slit
𝐷
𝑦𝑛d
Hence, Path difference, S2 N =
Contd….
Case I: Constructive Interference ( Bright fringes)
For the point P to be a bright fringe, the path difference must be equal to integral
multiple of λ. So for bright fringe,
S2 N = n λ n = 0, 1, 2,….
𝑦𝑛d
So, =nλ
𝐷
In general, yn= nλD
𝑑
, gives the position of nth bright fringe central bright fringe.

λD
If n =1 ,𝑦1 = Position of first bright fringe from central bright fringe
𝑑
2λD
If n =2 , 𝑦2 = Position of second maxima (Bright Fringe) ………………And so
𝑑
on…………..
 Linear fringe width ( 𝜷 ): 𝜷
The linear distance between two consecutive bright 𝜷

fringes is called linear fringe width.

λD
𝛽 = y2 – y1 =
𝑑
(The spacing between any two consecutive bright fringes gives the width of a dark
fringe.)
Contd….
Case II: Destructive Interference ( Dark fringes)
For the point P to be a dark fringe, the path difference must be equal to odd integral
multiple of λ/2. So for dark fringe,
S2 N = (2n -1) λ/2 n = 1, 2,….
𝑦𝑛d
So, = (2n -1) λ/2
𝐷
(2n − 1)λD
In general, 𝑦𝑛′ = 2𝑑
, gives the position of nth dark fringe from cental bright fringe.

λD
If n =1 , 𝑦1′ = Position of First minimum ( dark fringe)
2𝑑

3λD
𝑦2′
If n =2 , = Position of second minimum ( dark fringe) …………And so on…………..
2𝑑
Linear fringe width ( 𝜶 ) :
The linear distance between two consecutive dark fringes is called linear fringe width.
λD
𝛼 = 𝑦2′ –𝑦1′ =
𝑑
(The spacing between any two consecutive dark fringes gives the width of a bright fringe.)
Hence, It is found that the width of all bright and dark fringes are equally spaced and
independent of n.
𝜆𝐷
i.e. 𝛽 = 𝛼 =
𝑑
 Alternative Method:

Young’s double slit experiment

 Consider two slits S1 and S2 separated by small distance d placed near to the monochromatic
source of light S of wave length .
 Two slits act as the coherent source of light are placed at perpendicular distance D from the
screen.
 Further, let y be the distance of point P on the screen from its center O. Then, path difference
between the waves reaching at point P from S1 and S2 is given by P
x = S2P – S1P
Now
(S2P)2 = (S2B)2 + (BP)2 = D2 + (y + d/2)2 y
(S1P)2 = (S1A)2 + (AP)2 = D2 + (y – d/2)2
 S2P2 – S1P2 = D2 + (y + d/2)2 - D2 + (y – d/2)2 S1 A
or, (S2P + S1P) (S2P – S1P) =(y + d/2)2 – (y – d/2)2
or, (S2P + S1P)x = 2yd S d O
Q
or, x = 2yd/(S2P + S1P)
S2 B
In practice, point P lies very close to O and slits are very very close
to point Q Therefore D Screen
S2P  S1P = OQ = D Fig. 2.5
So, x = 2yd/2D = yd/D
For the point P to be a bright fringe: The path difference x must be equal to integral multiple
of λ so for bright fringe,
x = nλ
So, yd/D = nλ
In general, yn= nλD/d , n = 0, 1, 2,….n gives the position of nth bright fringe.
The spacing between any two consecutive bright fringes gives the width of a dark fringe
= yn – yn – 1 = λD/d

For point P to be a dark fringe: The path difference x should be equal to odd integral multiple of
λ/2.
So for dark fringe, x = (2n + 1) λ/2
Or, yd/D = (2n + 1) λ/2
In general, yn = (2n + 1) λD/2d , n = 0, 1, 2, . . . n gives the position of nth dark fringe.

The spacing between any two consecutive dark fringes gives the width of a bright fringe
= yn – yn – 1 = λD/d

It is found that fringe width of bright fringe is equal to the fringe width of dark fringe, and
independent of n.
So, fringe width () is given by  = λD/d
Conditions for Sustained Interference
1. The two sources should be coherent and emit waves continuously.
2. The waves should be preferably of same amplitude. If the amplitude of the
waves are equal, we shall get complete darkness in case of destructive interference.
3. The two sources must lie very close to each other.
4. The two sources should be very narrow.
Optical Path:
• It is the distance travelled by the light in vacuum during the same time for which it travels through in a medium.
Let, the light travels through a distance 𝑥 in a medium of refractive index 𝜇 with velocity 𝑣 in time 𝑡. Then we can write
𝑥
𝑡=
𝑣
Similarly if light travels with velocity 𝑐 in vacuum and covers the distance 𝑑 in the same time 𝑡 then
𝑑 = 𝑐𝑡
𝑥
𝑑=𝑐
𝑣
𝑑 = 𝜇𝑥
i.e. Optical path difference = absolute refractive index × Geometrical path difference
Note: when transparent medium of thickness 𝑡 and refractive index 𝜇 is inserted in one of the interfering beam then,
Optical path difference= 𝜇 − 1 𝑡