DIFFRACTION

DIFFRACTION
 Bending of light waves at the edges of an obstacle or encroachment of
light energy in the GEOMETRICAL SHADOW region is called
Diffraction
 Diffraction is the bending of light around the sharp edges of an obstacle in
order and produces bright illumination in GEOMETRICAL SHADOW
REGION.
 Diffraction becomes significant only when the obstacle size is comparable
with wavelength of incident light.

 There are two types of Diffraction

1. Fresnel Diffraction
2. Fraunhoffer Diffraction
 FRESNEL & FARUNHOFFER DIFFRACTION
Fresnel Diffraction Fraunhoffer Diffraction
• The source and the screen are at • The source and the screen or both are effectively
finite distance from the obstacle. at infinite distance from the obstacle.
• Observation of Fresnel diffraction •The conditions required for the Fraunhoffer
does not require any lenses. diffraction are achieved using two convex lenses.
• The Incident wave front will be •The incident wave front will be PLANAR
Spherical or Cylindrical
• The phase of the secondary wavelets •The phase of the secondary wavelets are the
is not the same at all the points in the same at all the points in the plane of the
plane of the obstacle obstacle (Since the usage of lens)

Obstacle Obstacle
 EXPLANATION OF RECTILINEAR PROPAGATION OF LIGHT-
FRESNEL THEORY
 Fresnel explained the Rectilinear propagation of light based on WAVE
THEORY
To find the intensity at P

Wavefront ABCD
 For finding the intensity at a point P divide the wave front ABCD into no
of regions called HALF PERIOD ZONES (HALF PERIOD ELEMENTS)
 To achieve this imagine a number of spheres with P as centre and b+l/2 ,
b+2l/2,„„.. b + n l/2 as radii.
 Now the sphere will intersect the wave front into no of circular regions
having radii OM1, OM2„.OMn
 The path difference between two successive circular regions is given by
=l/2 , Phase difference = p and a time lag of T/2 ie half of a period.
Hence this region is called HALF PERIOD ZONES
 l  T
Path difference    P hase difference p   Time period  
2 2
 To obtain the resultant effect at a point P on the screen Fresnel assumed
that
1. A wave front can be divided into a large no of zones called Fresnel’s
Half Period Zones (HPZ) of small area and the resultant effect at any
point will be the combined effect of all these HPZ.
2. The effect at a point due to any particular zone will depend on the
distance of the point from the zone.
3. The effect at P will depend on the obliquity of the point with reference
to the zone under consideration.
4. Area
 It can be shown that area of each HPZ will be same as equal
Area of n th HPZ= p OM 2n  p OM 2n1
 nl  2 2   ( n  1)l  2 2 
 p  b    b   p  b   b 
 2    2  
  2 2 nbl 2   2 2( n  1)bl 2  
 p b   b   b   b 
 2   2 

p  2

2 
2 nbl 2( n  1)bl
 p bl

Area of n HPZ=  p bl  constant

th
 By considering Fresnel assumptions , Individual HPZ will produce
combined effect at P

 Each half period zone produce different displacement or amplitude

depending on
1. Distance from the Point P
2. Angle of Obliquity
 The successive amplitude is in opposite phase as the Path difference
between them is l/2.
 The resultant displacement hence obtained based on Superposition
Principle.
A  a1  a 2  a 3  a 4  a 5  ........
a1  a3
a1  a1 a3   a3 a5  a1
Since a 2 
   a2    a4  
2

2  2 2   2 2  2
 Hence from the Arithmetic progression it is obtained as
2
a1
A    a1 
I   
Intensity proportinal to Amplitude 2

2 2
 Imagine an obstacle having a size to interrupt first HPZ , Hence the
resultant amplitude 2
 a2   a2 
A1  a 2  a 3  a 4  a 5  ........      I1   
 2 2
 Imagine an obstacle having a size to interrupt first two HPZ , Hence the
resultant amplitude 2
 a3   a3 
A1   a 3  a 4  a 5  ........     I1   
2 2
 Similarly imagine an obstacle to interrupt major number of HPZ , Now it
is clear that the resultant amplitude will be very small and hence the
intensity also very very small
 Thus the presence of Shadow develops
 Note
1. The Resulting intensity at P will be maximum or minimum depending
upon the number of HPZ reaching at P
2. If even no of HPZ give minimum intensity Or Odd number of HPZ give
maximum intensity
A1  a1  a 2  a 3  a 4  a 5 
 Maximum
Three term with + symbol & 2 term with - symbol

A1  a1  a 2  a 3 
Two term with + symbol & 1 term with - symbol
Maximum
A1  a1  a 2  a 3  a 4  a 5  a 6 
 Minimum
Three term with + symbol & 3 term with - symbol

3. Odd or even no of HPZ will depend upon the Path difference

 2 n  1 l
Odd number of HPZ =  =  Maximum
2
2 nl
Even number of HPZ =  =  Minimum
2
Q] A plane wave front of light l=500nm falls on an aperture and the
diffraction pattern is observed in an eye piece at a distance of 1m from the
aperture. Find the radius of the 100th Half Period Element and the area of a
HPZ
Radius of the n th HPZ= nbl  100  1m  500 nm  7.07 10 3 m
Area of the n th HPZ=n p bl   1.57  10 6 m 2

Q] Find with respect to a point 50cm distant for l=550nm , how many HPZ
are combined in a circular hole of radius (a) 1mm (b) 1cm.

Radius of the n th HPZ= nbl

Area of the n th HPZ=n p bl 
p r2 r2
2
 no of HPZ,  n  =
Area of the Circular Hole =p r  n p bl   
 p bl  bl
(i )r  1mm 
n  4 (ii )r  1cm 
 n  363
 FRESNEL DIFFRACTION AT STRAIGHT EDGE
 AD is the straight edge and the length of the edge is parallel to the
length of slit. XY is the incident cylindrical wave front. P is a
point on the screen ( AP=b) and SAP is perpendicular to the screen
According to Geometrical Optics illumination should start at P
 In Practice dark & Bright bands with unequal width and of varying intensity
are observed in the region above P.

Let S be narrow slit illuminated by a source of

monochromatic light of wavelength l at distance
(a) from Screen . The length of the slit is
perpendicular to the plane of the paper.
 The intensity goes on decreasing gradually as we move into the geometrical
shadow The effect at P is due to the Upper half of the wave front only below P
 XY is the incident wave front, With reference to the point P, A is the pole of
the wave front and we can construct half period strips.
 For calculating the Intensity
 Join that point (P) with the Source , which cut the wave front at POLE (A)
 Construct HPZ w.r.t the Pole
 Calculate the Intensity at the point (P) by considering, no of HPZ , Area of
HPZ , Distance & Angle of Obliquity
To study the Intensity AT P
 w.r.t P the wave front XAY is divided into Number of HPZ. A is the pole
of the wave front w,r,t the point P
 Hence the displacement at P is half the displacement which would have
been there if the whole wave front is effective
 Intensity at P is therefore 1/4th intensity at point where the whole wave
front is effective.
 The amplitude at P is due to the HPZ of the Upper Half only.
 If a1,a2,„.. Are the displacement due to HPZ of UPPER HALF then
A1  a1  a2  a3  a4  a5  ......... 

a1
Resultant amplitude 
2
a12
Intensity at O=
4
provided a1 is the amplitude of the First HPZ of the
UPPER HALF only
To study the effect above P
 Let XAY be the incident wave front originating from S . Join P’S cutting the
wave front at B. Then B is the Pole w.r.t P’. With B as pole construct a
number of HPZ. The effect at P’ depends mainly on the number of HPZ
enclosed between the points A and B.
 The effect at P 'due to the wave front above B is same at all points on the
screen whereas it is different at different points due to the wave front
between B and A.
The point P' will be of MAXIMUM
INTENSITY, if the no of HPZ enclosed
between B and A is ODD and the
intensity at P' will be MINIMUM if the no
of half period strips enclosed between B
and A is EVEN.
 Intensity at P’ (Mathematical Treatment )

1
 2
x  2
 x 2
 x 2

 AP '  b 2  x 2   AP '  b 1  2   b 1  2   b 
2

 b   2b  2b
x2 x2
AP '  b  
Similarly We can write
 SP '   a  b  
2b 2 a  b
  x2   x2  x2 x2
   SA  AP '  SP '   a   b      a  b    
  2b    2  a  b   2b 2  a  b 
x2 1 1  x2  a   a 
     x 
2

2  b  a  b   2  
b a  b    
2b a  b  
 Condition for Maxima

 2n  1 l
Odd number of HPZ =  = 
 Maximum
2
 a  2  2n  1 l b(a  b)  2n  1 l
x  
x 
2

 2b  a  b   2 a
b( a  b )l
x  2n  1  K  2n  1 
Generalized
 xn  K  2n  1
a
 Condition for Minima
2nl
Even number of HPZ =  =  Minimum
2
 a  2 2b(a  b)nl
 x '  nl 
x' 
2

 2b  a  b   a
b ( a  b )l
x'  2n  K 2n 
Generalized
 x 'n  K 2 n
a
 To study the effect below P
 As we move into the Geometrical Shadow region the Pole B moves from A
to Y and I , II,III etc HPE are interrupted respectively so the intensity goes
on decreases gradually
Then different Maxima and minima are obtained by
x K  2 n 1
Maxima 
n
 x0  K , x1  3K , x2  5K
xn  K 2 n
Minima   x '1  2K , x '1  4K , x '2  6K
 Thus it is clear that the separation between maxima or minima gradually
decreasing away from the geometrical shadow region
 FRESNEL DIFFRACTION AT CIRCULAR APERTURE
(for Maths Only)
 Let AB be a small aperture and S is a point source of monochromatic light.
 XY is a screen perpendicular to the plane of the paper and P is a point on the
screen. SP is perpendicular to the screen O is the center of the aperture and r
is the radius of the aperture.
 Let the distance of a source from the aperture be a (SO = a) and the distance
of the screen from me aperture be b (OP=b). QOQ is the incident spherical
wave front.
 With reference to the point P, O is the pole of the wave
front .
 To consider the intensity at P,
 Half period zones can be constructed with P as center and radii on the exposed
wave front AOB.
 Depending on the distance of P from the aperture (b) the number of HPZ that
can be constructed may be odd or even.
 If the distance b is such that only one HPZ can be constructed, then the
intensity at P will be proportional to (a1)2
 On the other hand, if the whole of the wave front is exposed to the point P.
the resultant Intensity is (a1/2)2
 If only two zones are exposed, the resultant amplitude at P = a1 – a2
 (minimum) and if 3 zones are exposed, the amplitude = a1 – a2 + a3
(maximum) and so on.
 Thus by continuously altering the value
of b, the point P becomes alternately
bright and dark depending on whether odd or even number of zones are exposed by
the aperture.
 Theory

 S is a point source of a monochromatic light, AB is the circular aperture

and P is point on the screen. O is the center of the circular aperture .
 The Path difference between Marginal (SAP) and Central ray (SOP)is given
by
   SA  AP   SOP
  2
  r2 
  a 2  r 2   b  r  2 r
   a  b    a 1  2a 2   a  b
1 1
  b 1  2
2 2 2

     2b 
  r 2 r 2   r2 r2  r2  1 1 
   a  b         a  b         
  2a 2b    2a 2b  2  a b 
 If the position of the screen is such that n full number of HPZ can be
constructed on the aperture, then the path difference
l
   2n  1  Max
l  n  Odd  Maximum 2
Path Difference = n    
2 n  Even  Minimum l
  2n  nl  Min
2
 The condition for Maxima/ Minima can be obtained by
l r 2  1 1  On Rearrangement 1 1 nl
n          2
2 2 a b a b r
 The point P will be of maximum or minimum intensity depending on
whether n is odd or even.
 If n is odd, P will be a bright point. The idea of focus at P does not
mean that it is always a bright point.
 If the Source us situated at Infinity () 1 1 nl 1 nl
a 
  2

 
a b r b r2
 Intensity at a Point Away from the Centre ( P’)

   x  r 2    x  r 2 
 b  x  r  b  x  r
  BP ' AP '  
 b 1    b 1  
2 2 2 2

  2b 2   
2
  2b 
  x  r 2   x  r 
2
    x  r 
2
 x  r 
2
 1
  b   b        x  r  2   x  r  2 
 2b 
 2b    2b 2b  2b  

1 2rx
   4 xr  
2b b
2rx nlb
Maximum     nl 
On Rearranging, Condition for Brightness
 xn 
b 2r
2rx l On Rearranging, Condition for Minimum lb
Minimum      2n  1   xn   2n  1
b 2 4r
 Intensity at a Point within the GEOMETRIC SHADOW

 Consider a point X in the geometric shadow for which N is the POLE.

 The Upper half of the wave front w.r.t N is fully obstructed and only few
ones of the lower half region of AB will be exposed which gives some
illumination at X.
 As X moves in the upward portion of Screen , more HPZ will be blocked, so
the value of resultant amplitude goes on decreasing and ultimately become
zero after a certain distance
Q] A circular aperture of 1.2 mm diameter is illuminated by plane waves of
monochromatic light. The diffracted light is received on a distant screen
which is gradually moved towards the aperture. The centre of the circular
patch of light first becomes dark when the screen is 30 cm from the aperture.
Calculate the wavelength of light.
Given that diameter  1.2mm  0.12cm 
 r  0.06cm, b  30 cm
b 2
 r 2  =  b  l  
 302   0.06    30  l 
2 2 2

 0.06 
2
cm 2
l  6000 A
2  30 cm
 FRAUNHOFFER DIFFRACTION AT SINGLE SLIT

 Let a parallel beam of monochromatic light of wavelength l be incident

normally upon a narrow slit of width AB = a .Let diffracted light be
focused by a CONVEX LENS L on a screen XY placed in the FOCAL
PLANE of the lens.
 The diffraction pattern obtained on the screen consists of a central bright
band, having alternate dark and weak bright bands of decreasing intensity
on both sides.
 OBSERVATION
In terms of wave theory, a plane
wave front is incident on the slit
AB.
According to the Huygens's
principle, each point in AB sends
out secondary wavelets in all
directions.
 The rays proceeding in the same direction as the incident rays focussed at
O; while those diffracted through an angle θ are focused at P.
 The diffraction pattern on the screen consist of Central Bright Maximum (O)
followed by a number of alternate MINIMA AND MAXIMA on both sides
 The SECONDARY MAXIMA ARE OF MUCH LESS INTENSITY
 The width of the Fringes are NOT SAME
 Let us find out the resultant intensity at O.

 2p 
    a Sin 
 l 
 Consider the secondary wavelets reaching the point O (Rays 1,2,3) ,
which are equidistance from the upper half CA and lower half CB
 Hence the Path difference between Corresponding points (CA & CB ) is
zero
 The secondary wave interfere constructively at O , hence the central
maximum is obtained at O.
 Let us find out the resultant intensity at P.

 2p 
    a Sin 
 l 
 Consider the secondary wavelets reaching the point P (Rays 4,5,6) , here
the path difference is  = BN= a Sin.
If   a Sin  
Minimum

1l Then PD b/w A &C, C&B = l
2 
If   a Sin  
Minimum
 2l Then PD b/w A &C, C&B = l
 l
 In general we can write   a Sin   n  2   nl 
 n  1, 2, 3....
 2
  l
  a Sin   n  2   nl 
 n  1, 2, 3....
 2
 Which shows the condition for Minimum , It is called Secondary
Minimum.
 Similarly we can write the condition for Secondary Maximum as
 l  S .Maximum
  a Sin    2n  1    n  1, 2, 3....
2
 Width of the Central Maximum
 The Width of the Central Maximum is the distance between the first minimum on
either side of O
l
  a Sin   1l 
 Sin  
a
x On Combining x l
From Geometry , Sin     
f f a
f l Width of the Central Maximum , 2 x 2fl
x   2x 
a a
 INTENSITY DISTRIBUTION – SINGLE SLIT.
 To calculate the intensity distribution divide the slit AB into number of
small strips, the resultant amplitude due to all the individual strips can be
obtained by vector Polygon Method.
• Here amplitudes are small , the
Phase/path difference increases by
small amount from strip to strip  2p 
  a Sin   2
(12,2 3„ ).  l 
• Thus the vibration polygon coincide
with the circular arc OM.
•OA gives the direction of initial
vector and NM gives the direction of
final vector due to the secondary
waves from A.
• Q is the centre of the circular arc
 l 
 l a Sin   2p 
Path difference , BN=a Sin  
2p 
      a Sin  Call
   2
2p   l 
 From the Vector Polygon Method OM represents the Resultant Amplitude
ON  r sin 
OM  2ON   OM  2r sin   (1)
Arc Arc(OM ) A A
2      2r   (2)
radius r r 
Sin 
Resultant Amplitude =OM  2r sin   A

 Sin 2

Resultant Intensity  OM    A
2 2

  2

 The maximum or minimum value can be found out by putting

dI d  2 Sin 2  
 0 
 A 0
d d   2

Sin 
 We get Two Solutions  0 or  =tan

 CALCULATION OF INTENSITY
 We know that the intensity distribution is given by

 sin   2
I  I0  
  

CENTRAL MAXIMUM
1. For a Point O on the screen
2p sin 
2  . a sin   Lt 0 1 sin 
  0 
  0 
l 
1

 sin   2
Intensity at P= I 0    I 0  Maximum
  
 SECONDARY MINIMA
 From the General Equations
Sin 
become Minima when  sin =0 
   np

2p
2  . a sin   l.2
OR a sin  n  nl  l
 nl 
    np
2p
 The first and secondary minima s are obtained by

a}For the secondery Minimum

 sin    sin p 
2 2
  np  p
I1 =I 0     I1 =I 0   0
    p 
 sin    sin 2p 
2 2
  np  2p
I 2 =I 0     I 2 =I 0   0
    2p 
 Similarly by putting n=3,4,5„„ other minima s are obtained with zero
intensity
 SECONDARY MAXIMA
 From the General Equations
Sin  sin  2n  1 p
become Maxima when    
=Max 
  2
 2n  1 l 2 
2p
. a sin   l.2  2n  1 l  2n  1 p
OR a sin  n   l
   

2 2p 2 2
 The first and secondary maxima are obtained by
a}For the secondery Maximum
 sin 3p  
2
 2 n 1p 
   I (1)  I 0
2
 
3 2
 p
I1 =I0 
sin 


  2

2 2

 
I =I
    3p 
 
1 0 0
3p
2
22
 2  2
 sin 5p  
2
 2 n 1p 5 

2
 sin     p
 2  I 1 I0
I 2 =I0    2 2
 
 
I =I
    5p 
 
2 0 0
5p
2
61
 2  2
 Similarly by putting n=3,4,5„„ other maxima are obtained with
decreasing intensity
 Single Slit
Aperture;
Slit-width, b

Point
Source, S I()/I(0)

1.0

Screen

b
3p 2p p 0 p 2p 3p
 FRAUNHOFFER DIFFRACTION AT A DOUBLE SLIT
 The double-slit setup is the same as that of the single slit, but replace the
OPAQUE SCREEN WITH ONE THAT HAS TWO SLITS

   a  b  Sin 
 2p 
     a  b  Sin   2b
l 

 The two slits of width, a, have a centre-to-centre separation of b.

 Each aperture by itself would produce the same single-slit diffraction on
the viewing screen.
  These two wave are coherent.
 The secondary wavelets will be coherent as well.
 The contribution from the TWO SLITS WOULD OVERLAP,
INTERFERENCE OCCURS.
 The result is then a rapidly-varying double slit interference fringe
modulated by a single-slit diffraction pattern.
 Explanation
 From the Theory of DIFFRACTION OF SINGLE SLIT the resultant
amplitude due to wavelets diffracted from each slit in the direction of P’ is
Sin    2p  
First Slit 
 R1  A  where A  constant , 2  =   a sin  
   l  
Sin    2p  
Second Slit 
 R2  A  where A  constant , 2  =   a sin  
   l  
  2p  
Resultant Intensity =R 12  R 22  2 R1  R2 cos(2b )  2b =   a  b  sin  
  l  
 Sin    Sin    Sin    Sin  
2 2 2 2

I  A    A   2  A  cos(2b )  2  A  1  cos 2 b 
           
 2
2  sin
 Sin   2  Sin  
2 2
I  2A
 
 2 cos 2
b   4 A   cos b
2 1}4A 
  
  due to single slit
  
2
 2}cos 2 b  due to double slit
 Sin 2  
I  4A 
2
 cos 2
b • Interference term
  2

• Diffraction term
 DIFFRACTION PATTERN
 The Resultant intensity proportional to I  4A 2  sin  2
 cos 2 b
 
  
 2p   2p 
where 2    a sin  & 2 b     a  b  sin 
 l   l 

 Central Maximum
 2
 The diffraction term A 2   gives the Central Maximum in the
sin

  
direction  =0
 Alternatively Maxima and Minima can be obtained on either
side
Condition for Minimum
Sin 
become Minima when  sin =0 
   np

2p
l.2 2  . a sin  
OR a sin  n  nl   nl 
    np
l
2p
Conditions for Maximum
Sin  sin  2n  1 p
become Maxima when    
=Max 
  2
 2n  1 l 2  l.2  2n  1 l
2p
. a sin    2n  1 p
OR a sin  n   l
   

2 2p 2 2
 INTERFERENCE – MINIMA
 If this path difference is equal to odd multiples of l/2 gives the directions
of minima due to the interference of the secondary waves from the two
slits p
b =  a  b  sin  p
cos b  0  b   (2n  1)
2 l
2
p p l
 a  b  sin   (2n  1) 
  a  b  sin   (2n  1)
l 2 2
INTERFERENCE – MAXIMA
 The interference term, cos2 β, gives a set of equidistant dark and bright
fringes, as in Young’s double-slit interference experiment.
 The bright fringes (maxima) are obtained in the directions given by

p
b=  a  b  sin 
cos 2 b  1  b   np
l

p
 a  b  sin    np 
  a  b  sin   nl
l
 SUMMERY
 The intensity distribution in the resultant diffraction pattern is a plot of the
product of the constant term 4 A2, diffraction term (sin2 α)/ α2, and the
interference term cos2 β.

 The entire pattern may be

considered as consisting
interference fringes due to light
from both slits, the intensities
of the these fringes being
governed by the diffraction
occurring at the individual slits.
 Missing Orders in Double Slit Diffraction Pattern
 From the Equations of Interference Maxima and Minima, it is found that
Maxima and minima depend on a and b.
 Let us consider the situation in which an INTERFERENCE MAXIMA
OCCURS WHERE DIFFRACTION IS MINIMUM. Here Interference
maxima/minima can occur only in Diffraction envelop. Hence all
Interference Maxima occurs in Diffraction Minima are found to be
missing
 Consider the Equation Interfernce Maximum   a  b  sin    nl
When both the relation Holds Diffraction Minimum   a  sin    ml
 The interference Maxima will be absent in the direction for which  is
common ab n

a m
a  b n a b
Case 1 > If a  b ,    n  2m ie n  2, 4, 6..... for m  1, 2,3...
a m
Thus 2nd ,4 th ,6th Interference Maxima will be missing in Diffraction Pattern
Case 2 > If 2a  b ,
 DIFFRACTION EFFECT DUE TO N-SLIT
(THEORY OF GRATING )
 A diffraction grating is an arrangement equivalent to a large number of
parallel slits of equal widths and separated from one another by equal
opaque spaces
 Let XY is the grating surface & MN is the screen, both are perpendicular
to the paper. AB is the slit and BC is the opaque portion
• The width of slit is a
and the opaque spacing between
any two consecutive slit is b.
Let a plane wave front be
incident on the grating surface.
The point P will be central
maximum.
 Consider the secondary waves travelling in a direction inclined at an angle
θ with the direction of the incident light.
 The intensity at point P1 will depend on the path difference between the
secondary waves originating from the corresponding points A and C.
Path difference = AC Sinθ
= (AB + BC) Sinθ
= (a + b) Sinθ
If we consider two slits , the
phase difference b/w two
correponding points
2p
 2b =  a  b  sin 
l
p
 b =  a  b  sin 
l
 Let a be the width of each slit and b the width of each opaque space
between the slits. Then (a+b) is called the “GRATING ELEMENT”.
 The points in two consecutive slits separated by the distance (a+b) are
called the “CORRESPONDING POINTS”.
 According to the Fraunhofer diffraction at a single slit, the wavelets from
all points in a slit diffracted in a direction θ are equivalent to a single
wave of amplitude A Sin  where 2 = 2p a sin
 l

 If N be the total number of slits in the grating, the diffracted rays from all
the slits are equivalent to N parallel rays, one each from middle points of
the slits. Then the resultant amplitude is given by
Sin N b  Sin   Sin N b
R   Amp. of single slit A
Sin b    Sin b
2p
where 2b =  a  b  sin
l
 The resultant Intensity
Sin 2
 Sin 2
Nb
I A 2
 2
Sin b 2

 The first factor A02 sin2α/ α2 gives a diffraction pattern due to the single
slit, while second factor sin2N𝜷/sin2𝜷 gives the interference pattern due
to N slits.
 Case Study
1. If the Number of slit reduced to 1 instead of N
Sin 2
 Sin 2
N b N 1 Sin 2
 Sin 2
b Sin 2
 Condition for 
I A 2
 I  A 2
A 2
  
 Sin b
2 2
 Sin b
2 2
 2
Single slit 
2. If the Number of slit reduced to 2 from N
Sin 2
 Sin 2
N b N 2 Sin 2
 Sin 2
2 b Sin 2
 2
I A 2
 I  A 2
A 2
cos b
 2
Sin b2
 Sin b
2 2
 2
 CONDITION FOR MAXIMA
 We have the equation
Sin 2
 Sin 2
Nb
I A 2
 2 Sin 2 b
 The conditions for maxima is obtained by

Sin N b
If b  np 
 is indetrminate , Hence by applying limiting condition
Sin b
Sin N b N Cos N b
Lt b  np  Lt b  np N
Sin b Cos b
Sin 2  Sin 2 N b b  np 2 2 Sin 
2
IA 2
 I  N A 
 Maximum
 2
Sin b
2
 2

p
b=  a  b  sin  p
b  np  np  l
 a  b  sin  
  a  b  sin    nl 
 Maximum
l
 MINIMUM CONDITION
 We have the equation Sin 2
 Sin 2
Nb
I  A0
2
 2 Sin 2 b
 Condition for minimum is obtained by
Sin N b  0 but Sin b  0
This can be achieved only when , Sin N b  0 
 N b   mp
p
N  a  b  sin    mp 
 N  a  b  sin    ml
l
 Here m can take all integral values except 0,N,2N,3N,„..
 If we put m=0,N,2N„ then above equation reduces to condition for
Maximum
 Because for this values of m sin b also become zero , which leads to
principal maximum
 Thus there are (N-1) minima between two consecutive principal Maxima
 PLANE TRANSMISSION GRATING
 A transmission grating is an arrangement equivalent to a large number
of parallel slits of equal width and separated from one another by equal
opaque spaces.
 A transmission grating can be made by ruling large number of fine equi
distant parallel lines on a optically plane glass plate with a fine diamond
point.
 Number of lines ruled is generally ≈ 15,000 – 30,000 lines per inch.
 The spaces between the lines are transparent to the light and hence act as
separate slits.

GRATING CONSTANT
a  width of the transparant part
b  width of the Opaque part
GRATING ELEMENT = a+b
 GRATING SPECTRUM
 We have (a+b) sin =n l for the PRINCIPAL MAXIMUM of a grating .
a  b  d , Grating element 
( a  b )sin   nl  
 or Grating constant 
d sin   nl where n=0,1,2,3,......... (1)
 This relation is called Grating Equation
 Let N represents the number of lines per unit length in the grating , then
N ( a  b)  1
1
Then GRATING ELEMENT (a  b) 
N
 Equation (1) becomes
1
( a b) 
(a  b) sin   nl  sin   nN l N

It is called GRATING LAW.

 CONDITION FOR ABSENT SPECTRUM
 In diffraction grating the condition for Principal Maximum is given by
(a  b) sin  n  nl
 In the case of single slit the condition for Principal minimum is given by
equation valid to n number 
a sin  n  l  
MINIMUM Condition for Slit

 of slits independently 
 When above conditions are simultaneously obeyed , the beam from all the slits
reinforce each other but the resultant intensity is zero . Hence the spectrum will be
absent.
(a  b) sin  n nl On dividing above 2 equations a  b
  n
a sin  n l a
 The condition for any spectrum to be absent can be obtained by giving various
values to n except 1
a  b n a b
Case 1 > If a  b ,    n  2m ie n  2, 4, 6..... for m  1, 2,3...
a m
Thus 2nd ,4 th ,6th orders of spectrum will be missing corresponding to minima
due to a single slit given by m  1, 2,3.....
 DISPERSIVE POWER OF GRATING
 Dispersive power of a grating is defined as the ratio of change of angle of
diffraction with wavelength . We have the grating law
  Angle of diffraction,n  Order of the Spectrum 
Sin   Nn l  
 N  Number of lines per unit length on Grating 
 For a grating and a Particular Order N & n remains constant. Then
On differentiating
Sin   Nn l   cos  d   Nn d l

d Nn Where N is the number of lines on the


d l cos grating per unit length
 This equation is called Dispersive power of Grating.
d  is very very small d
dl
Nn
= cos  dl
=Nn
 If the above condition is satisfied in a grating spectrum , It is called Normal Spectrum . Thus in Normal
spectrum the difference in the angle of diffraction is directly proportional to the corresponding
difference in their wavelength
 DISTINCTION BETWEEN PRISM SPECTRA AND GRATING SPECTRA
 The Prism spectra are formed by DISPERSION while grating spectra are
formed by DIFFRACTION
 Prism forms only ONE SPECTRUM while grating forms NUMBER OF
SPECTRA of different orders on either side of the spectral line
 Prism spectra depends on MATERIAL OF THE PRISM while grating
spectra are INDEPENDENT OF THE MATERIAL of the grating.
 In case of Prism the DEVIATION IS LEAST FOR RED AND GREATEST
FOR VIOLET . While in the case of grating the DEVIATION IS LEAST
FOR VIOLET AND GREATEST FOR RED.
 The Resolving power of a prism is SMALL , while that of grating is LARGE.
 Prism Spectra is BRIGHT since all the incident light is distributed only in
one spectrum. The grating spectrum is MUCH FAINTER since most of the
light incident on it goes to form Zero order maximum and rest is distributed
among other orders.
 DETERMINATION OF WAVELENGTH OF LIGHT BY GRATING
 This is done with the help of SPECTROMETER
 The following initial adjustments were done
 The eye piece of the telescope is adjusted so that the cross wires are
clearly seen
 The telescope is adjusted to receive parallel rays
 The Collimator is adjusted to produce Parallel rays
 The Prism table is leveled using Spirit level
 Adjustment of grating for normal incidence
 kj
 TO MEASURE THE ANGLE OF DIFFRACTION
 The telescope is rotated to one side of the Central maximum until the line in
the first order coincides with the vertical cross wire. The reading of both the
Vernier is noted
 Similarly same procedure is repeated for other side also
 The difference between the 2 reading is 2

The number of lines per unit length N is known

Using the formula , Sin =Nnl
Sin  2 is known hence  can be calculated
l=
Nn N is given , n  order 2
 Number of Spectra with a Grating
 For normal incidence in the grating

Using the formula , Sin =Nnl

Sin  The maximum value of Sin  1 1
n= 
 n Max =
Nl Nl
1
n Max = 100
If N=6  10 5 lines/m and l =600nm 
Nl
 n Max =  2.8
36
Hence only the first two Orders are Seen
Q}In Fraunhofer diffraction pattern due to a narrow slit screen is placed 2m
away from lens to obtain the pattern . If the slit width is 0.2mm and the
first minima lie 5 mm on either sides of the central maximum, find the
wavelength of light ?
l x
a sin  nl   a sin   l  sin 
When n=1

a D
ax  0.02cm 0.5cm 0
l   5000 A
D 200 cm

Q}Calculate the possible order of spectra with a plane transmission grating

having 18000 lines per inch when light of wavelength 4500A is used?
sin 
sin   Nnl  n 
Order of the Spectra
Highest order occurs
Nl
When Sin =1 1 1

n   3
Nl  7.09 X10  4500 X10 
5 10
 DIFFERENCE/COMPARISON BETWEEN INTERFERENCE &
DIFFRACTION
 Interference: It occurs between waves starting from two (or more, but finite
in numbers) coherent sources.
 Diffraction: It occurs between the secondary wavelets starting from the
different points (infinite in number) of the same wave.
• Both are superposition effects and often both are present simultaneously
(like young’s experiment)
 Comparison:
(a) In an interference pattern the minima are usually almost perfectly dark
while in a diffraction pattern they are not so.
(b) In an interference pattern all the maxima are of same intensity but not in
the diffraction pattern.
(c) The interference fringes are usually (although not always) equally spaced.
The diffraction fringes are never equally spaced.
THANK YOU