INTERFERENCE

Interference is the superposition of two or f p p f

more coherent waves resulting in a new
tt wave pattern.
There are two types of interference:
Constructive Interference Constructive Interference
Destructive Interference
combined
waveform
wave 1
wave 2
Two waves in phase
Two waves 180 out
of phase p
Constructive Destructive
Condition for constructive interference
,....... 4 , 2 , 0 difference Phase 2 n =
; .......... 2 , , 0 difference path or n x =
) 1 2 (
Condition for destructive interference
) 1 2 ( 3
difference Path
,....... 3 , difference Phase ) 1 2 (


+
=
= +
n
x
n
2
.........
2
,
2
difference Path = x
Note: In each case n = 0,1,2.
Superposition of two waves: Intensity distribution
P
S
1
Let y and y are the
S
Let y
1
and y
2
are the
displacements of two
waves coming from S
1
S
2
g
1
and S
2
= t a y cos
1
( ) + = t a y
y
cos
2
1
is the phase difference between two waves reaching
At P from S
1
and S
2
, a be the amplitude of wave.
) cos( cos
2 1
+ + = + = t a t a y y y
2
cos
2
cos 2
+ +
=
wt wt wt wt
a
)
2
cos(
2
cos 2

+ = wt a
2 2
wave resultant the of amplitude
2
cos 2 =

a
2
intensity
2
cos 4
2 2
a I =
Therefore Intensity
amplitude of square is
) maxima ( 4 2 ,.. 4 , 2 , 0
2
a I n if = =
) minima ( 0 ) 1 2 ,..( 3 , = + = I n if
2
cos 4
2 2
a I =

) ( 2
1
4
2
2 2 2 2
a a a a + = = = ) ( 2
2
4 a a a a + = = =
= sum of intensity
For incoherent light
y
of constituent waves.
different are phases and amplitudes If
( )
1 1 1
) ( cos + = t a y
( )
2 1 2 2 2
~ , cos = + = t a y
2 2
) ( cos 2
2 1
2
2
2
1
a a a a I + + =
?
max
= I
?
min
max
= I
Youngs Double slit experiment g p
(The experiment can also be performed with a beam of
electrons or atoms, showing similar interference patterns.
THE INTERFERENCE FRINGES
P
d
D
width fringe that Show

=
S
1 y
n
d/2
d
O
d/2
d/2
S
O
d/2
S
2
D
At point P for maxima we must have
S
2
P S
1
P = n n = 0 1 2 3
L
S
2
P S
1
P n, n 0,1,2,3
] ) ( [ ) (
2 2 2
2
d
y D P S
n
+ + =
) ( ) (
2
1
2
2
d d
P S P S =
] )
2
( [ ) (
2
y
n
] ) ( [ ) (
2 2 2
1
d
y D P S
n
+ =
] )
2
( [ ] )
2
( [
2 2 2 2
d
y D
d
y D
n n
+ + +
2 2 2 2
d y y D d y y D + + + =
] )
2
( [ ) (
1
y
n
2 ) ( ) ( thus
2
2 2
d y P S P S
d y
d y y D d y y D
n
n n n n
=
+ + +
) ( ) (
2
) ( ) (
2 ) ( ) ( thus,
1 2
1 2
P S P S
d y
P S P S
d y P S P S
n
n
=
=
) ( ) (
1 2
1 2
P S P S +
If d<<D then S PS PD If d<<D then S
2
PS
1
PD.
Thus S
2
P+S
1
P=2D and S
2
P S
1
P = n
d d 2
D
d y
D
d y
n
n n
= =
2
2
therefore,
D
d y
n or
n
= ,
d
D n
y
n

=
Thus position of nth bright fringe
on the screen
d
y
n
on the screen
fringes, dark for Similarly
.. 3 , 2 , 1 , 0 ,
2
) 1 2 (
1 2
= + = n n P S P S

2
So we get, position of nth dark
fringe on the screen
d
D n
y
n
2
) 1 2 ( +
=
Distance between any two consecutive bright or
d 2
D
y y
n n

= =
+1
Distance between any two consecutive bright or
dark fringes (Fringe width)
d
y y
n n

+1
Proportional to the wavelength of source.
Fringe width..
Proportional to the distance of the screen from plane of S1 and S2.
Inversely proportional to the distance between S1 and S2.
Separation between dark and
bright fringes
3 D D D
2 2 2
3
= =
d
D
d
D
d
D
O is equidistant from S1 and S2
li ht d t O
S1
so light waves superposed at O
are in phase so light intensity at
O ill b i
O
O will be maximum.
At O, we observe the central
S2
bright fringe. For this fringe n=0
y = 0. so central bright fringe will
be referred as zeroth order bright
fringe.
Fresnels Biprism
It consists of two thin acute angled prisms joined at
the bases It is constructed as a single prism of obtuse
p
the bases. It is constructed as a single prism of obtuse
angle of 179. The acute angle on both side is about
30 30 .

179

c
a
S
The prism is placed with the
refracting edge in a way such
b
that Sa is normal to the face bc
of prism.
b
Screen
A
c
E
S
d
Fringes of equal width
O d
a
F
O
B
b
F
Z
1
Z
2
D
1. S is source
2. A and B are coherent sources
(Virtual) obtained through ab
Z1 = distance of biprism from source
Z2 = distance of screen from biprism
D= Z1+Z2
(Virtual) obtained through ab
and ac surface of biprism
D Z1+Z2
Screen
d
D
=
A
c
E
Observer
Fringes of equal width
S
d O
Observer
Eyepiece
d
a
F
O
B
b
F
Z
1
Z
2
Ques: Can we determine
Wavelength of source
D
through this setup ?
Ans: Yes
d
=
D= distance of screen from source.
d = distance between the sources A and B.
D

Determination of the distance between the two sources (d)

d
M
d
A convex lens (L
1
) is placed between the prism and eyepiece (M), such
L
1
that the image of the virtual sources A and B are seen in the field of
view of the eyepiece.
S th di t b t th i f A d B Suppose the distance between the images of Aand B as
seen by the eyepiece is d
1.
n v d
So ,
m
n
u
v
d
d
= =
1
..(1)
Now move the lens towards eyepiece and bring it to other positon L
2
So that again images of A and B are seen clearly in the the field of view
Of eyepiece. Again if the distance between the two images be d
2
L
2
y p g g
2
m v d
n
m
u
v
d
d
= =
2
..(2)
M lti l i (1) d (2) t
Substituting the values of , d
and D we can calculate the
Multiplying (1) and (2) we get
2 1
1 d d d
d d

value of wavelength () of
given monochromatic light.
d
2 1
2
2 1
1 d d d
d
= =
D
d
=
Theoretical Calculation of d:
(Alternative way)
D
d
=
(Alternative way)
1 2 z d ) ( =
D
=
or
1
1 2 z d ) (
Where is refractive index of biprism. is
angle of biprismand Z1 is distance of biprism
d

angle of biprism and Z1 is distance of biprism

from source.
Assignment: Can you prove it?
D n
1
) 1 ( 2 z
y
n

=
1
) 1 ( 2 Z
D
and

=
1
) 1 ( 2 Z
Fringes with white light
When white light is used the center fringe at O is white since
all waves will constructively interfere here while the fringes all waves will constructively interfere here while the fringes
on the both side of O are colored because the fringe
width () depends on wavelength of light width () depends on wavelength of light.
For green light,
1
) 1 ( 2 z
D n
y
g
g

=
1
) 1 ( 2 z
g

For red light, D n
y
r

=
1
) 1 ( 2 z
y
r
r

=
Summary Summary
Superposition of waves: Interference, Conditions of
constructive and destructive interference constructive and destructive interference.
Coherent sources: division of wavefront: Youngs
double slit experiment double slit experiment
Intensity distribution on the screen (Superposition
of two waves). of two waves).
Position of nth order bright (or dark) fringe on the
screen.
Fresnels Biprism: Fringe width, determination of
wavelength of light and theoretical approach to
calculate distance between the slits d.
Use of white light source.
Numerical
1. In a certain region of interference 45
th
order maximum for the
wavelength = 5893 are obtained. What will be the order of g
interference at the same place for (a) = 4820 , (b) = 7576 .
Ans: (a) 55th (b)35
th
2. The inclined faces of a glass prismof refractive index 1.5 make an 2. The inclined faces of a glass prism of refractive index 1.5 make an
angle of 1
o
with the base of the prism. The slit is 10 cm from the
biprism and is illuminated by light of = 5900 . Find the fringe
width observed at a distance of 1 meter fromthe biprism width observed at a distance of 1 meter from the biprism.
Ans: Fringe width= 0.338 mm (Note: Use angle in radian)
3. In a biprism experiment with sodium light, bands of
width 0.1963 mm are observed at 100 cm from the
lit O i t d i l 30 f slit. On introducing a convex lens 30 cm away from
the slit, two images of the slit are seen 0.7 cm apart,
at 100 cmdistance fromthe slit Calculate the at 100 cm distance from the slit. Calculate the
wavelength of sodium light.
Ans: 5889
More numerical on
1. Wave representation; Amplitude, phase, frequency p ; p , p , q y
2. Intensity distribution; I
max
, I
min
, ..
3. Biprism, double slit interference p
Assignment-1 Assignment 1
Show that
. 2 / 1
2
cos
2
=

2

Sol: Sol:
( ) 1 cos
2
1
2
cos
cos
2
0
2
0
2
2
+
=

d d
2 2
cos
2
0
= =

d
( )
( )
1
2 0
2
1
cos
2
1
2
0
2
0
=
+
=

+
=




d d
2 2 2
= = =

Assignment - 2
1
1 2 z d ) ( =
Show that
( ) 1 =
For small angles
From right angle triangle
(1)
A
d
From right angle triangle
and equation (1).
d
S
1
2
z
d
=
d/2

1
1
2 z d
z
=
B

z
Hence
1 2 z d ) ( =
z
1
is angle of deviation
1
1 2 z d ) ( =

(d
1
+d
2
)

1
,
2
Z
1
D
D D
) ( ) 1 ( ) (
2 1 1 2 1

+
=
+
=
Z
D
d d
D
SSummary
Lecture-1:
Introduction
Lecture-2:
S iti f t I I i Superposition of two waves, Imax, Imin.
Double slit experiment (Division of wave front), Expression
for fringe width.
Lecture-3:
Fresnels Biprism- Determine of sodium light.
Fringe width
D
d
=
Fringe width
Determination of d( using convex Lens).
Dependence of d on Biprism.
) 1 ( 2 Z d
2 1
d d d =
Using white light source.
Displacement of fringes.
1
) 1 ( 2 Z d =
In Double slit experiment: Insert a thin transparent
l h t f thi k t d f ti i d i glass sheet of thickness t and refractive index in
the path of one beam.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN?
Fringe pattern
will remain same
or
S
t,
P
or
Fringe pattern
ill hift
S
1
y
will shift
Because S
1
P ray will travel
D
d
more path. hence effective
path difference becomes
d
S
2
( )
D
t n
D
d y
n
1 + =
( ) [ ] t n
d
D
y
n
1 + =
Time required for
th li ht t h
S
t,
P
the light to reach
from S
1
to the point P
i
S
1
y
is
C
t
C
t P S
T +

=
0
1 D
d
C C
0
index refractive since
0
=
C
C
S
2
where C
0
is the velocity of light in air and C its velocity in
the medium
( ) 1 t P S +
the medium
( )
1) .........(
1
0
1
C
t P S
T
+
=

Time required for the light to reach from
S
2
to the point P is
) 2 (
2
P S
T

) 2 ........(
0
C
T =
So the path difference between the beams reaching P,
f S d S () from S
1
and S
2
()
t P S P S ) 1 (
1 2
=
d
D
d y
P S P S
n
=
1 2
( )
d y
n
1
As we know
So the path difference will be
( )t
D
y
n
1 =
f i h f h h b i h f i h If P is the centre of the nth bright fringe, then
( )t
d y
n
1 ( )
( ) [ ]
D
n t
D
y
n
1
1 =

At n = 0 the shift y
0
of
l b i h f i i
( ) [ ] t n
d
D
y
n
1 + =
central bright fringe is
D
( )t
d
D
y 1
0
=
It means that the introduction of the plate in the path
f f th i t f i b di l th ti of one of the interfering beams displaces the entire
fringe system through a distance
( ) t
D
1 ( ) t
d
1
Note: This displacement is towards the beam in the path Note: This displacement is towards the beam in the path
of which the plate is introduced.
K i th di t th h hi h th t l f i i Knowing the distance through which the central fringe is
shifted, D, d and the thickness of the material t can be
l l t d calculated.
We have to use white light to determine the
hi k f h i l thickness of the material.
For monochromatic light central fringe will similar to
h b i h b i h f i F hi li h l f i other bright bright fringe. For white light central fringe
is white.
Displacement of fringes Displacement of fringes
Determine condition of net path difference.
C

1,
t
1
S
C
C
S
1
S

2,
t
2
S
2
Screen
( ) ( )
2 2 1 1
1 1 t t =
Case 1: If
1
=
2
= and t
1
>t
2
, is positive ( upward shift)
or t
2
>t
1
, is negative ( downward shift)
Case 2: If t
1
=t
2
= t .
THE LLOYDS MIRROR ARRANGEMENT
Light directly coming from the slit S interferes Light directly coming from the slit S
1
interferes
with the light reflected from the mirror forming
an Interference pattern in the region BC of the
Real source
p g
screen.
Mirror
L
Virtual source
L
Note: The central fringe will be dark.
Displacement of fringes Displacement of fringes
Determine condition of net path difference.
t
C
C

1,
t
1
S
1
C
S
2
( ) ( )
2 2 1 1
1 1 t t =

2,
t
2
Screen
( ) ( )
2 2 1 1
t t
Case1: If
1
=
2
= and t
1
>t
2
, is positive ( upward shift)
or t
2
>t
1
, is negative ( downward shift)
Case 2: If t
1
=t
2
= t .
SSummary
Lecture-1:
Introduction
Lecture-2:
Superposition of two waves, Imax, Imin.
Double slit experiment (Division of wave front),
Expression for fringe width.
Lecture-3:
Fresnels Biprism- Determine of sodium light.
Displacement of fringes due to one transparent glass
sheet.
Displacement of fringes due to two transparent
l h t glass sheets.
Phase change on Reflection,
Refraction