UNIT-1: INTERFERENCE

Optics is the branch of physics which deals about light. Optics can be divided into two types, That is 1. Geometrical optics 2. Physical Optics Geometrical optics explains the propagation of light and formation of images using lens system. Physical optics deals the nature of light and some optical phenomenons like Interference, Diffraction and Polarization etc. Some Definitions: Monochromatic Source: A source which emit single wavelength is called monochromatic source. Coherent Source: Two sources are said to be Coherent if and only if 1. They must have same wave length or nearly the same 2. They must have same amplitude or nearly the same 3. They must have the same or constant phase difference. In nature no two sources are coherent, because the constant phase difference cannot be achieved between any two individual sources. To produce two coherent sources, the two sources should be derived from a single source. There are two methods to produce coherent sources. That is 1. By division of Wave fronts 2. By division of Amplitudes. Phase: Phase is the specific location within a given cycle of a periodic wave. It is measured in an angle or radians. Superposition Principle: When two or more waves travel in the medium simultaneously, the resultant displacement at any point is due to the algebraic sum of the displacements of the individual waves . This is called superposition principle. Let us consider two waves y1and y2 travelling in the medium simultaneously the resultant displacement Y is given by Here + ve sign indicates both the displacements y1 and y2 are in the same direction and ve sign indicates the two waves are in opposite direction. When crust/trough of one wave is superimpose on the crust/trough of the other wave, this type of superposition is called constructive superposition. When crust/trough of one wave is superimposed on trough/crust of another wave is called destructive superposition. This is shown in the figure bellow. Prakasam Engineering College Name of the Faculty: P.V.V.Satyanarayana

Constructive Superposition

Destructive superposition

y1

y2

In case of constructive Y=y1+y2

In case of destructive Y=y1-y2

1. Superposition of Waves of Equal Phase and Frequency:

When two waves having same phase and frequency, gets superimpose then the amplitude of resultant wave is given by R=(a+b) . The intensity of resultant wave is given by I=R2=(a+b)2.

Therefore In the case of Equal phase and Frequency The resultant intensity of waves is given by I=R2= (a+b+c++n)2

2. Superposition of Waves of Random Phase Differences: When waves are having random phase
difference between them no observable interference pattern is produced, but the resultant intensity is got by addition of squares of all individual amplitudes. This is shown below equation.

3. Superposition of Waves of Different Frequencies: When waves of different frequencies

superimpose then the resultant is more complicated.

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4. Superposition of Waves of Constant Phase Difference: (Analytical Treatment):

y1

y2

Let us consider two wave y1 and y2 having same frequency and constant phase difference (). Let the amplitudes of the two waves are a1 and a2. Let the two waves are travelling in the same media simultaneously and get superimposed then the displacement of resultant wave is given by Y. From the superposition principle the resultant wave id algebraic sum of displacements of individual waves. i.e., Y=y1+y2. Let the displacements of individual waves is given by, y1= a1 sin t and y2= a2 sin (t+) therefore

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From eqn (5) it is clear that I value completely depends upon the value of cos. We know that the maxima and minima of the cos is +1 and -1. I is maximum i.e (a1+a2)2 when = 2n where n=1,2,3,4.n. In this case the path difference = n I is minimum i.e (a1-a2)2 when = (2n+1) where n=1,2,3.n. In this case the path difference = (2n+1) /2

From the above figure it is clear that the bright point intensity 4a2 and the dark point intensity is zero. Hence the average intensity is 2a2. This the evidence that in interference, energy is neither created nor destroyed but only transformed into dark points to bright points. This is called conservation law of energy. Interference: The modification in the distribution of light energy into bright and dark fringes in the superposition region is called Interference Methods to produce Interference: By Division of wavefront: In this case the wave front is divided into two Parts by reflection, refraction or diffraction. So that those two parts Recombined in small region and forms Interference. Example: Youngs double slit experiment, Fresnels Biprism and Loyds Mirror etc Prakasam Engineering College Name of the Faculty: P.V.V.Satyanarayana

By Division of Amplitude:

In this case the wave front is split into two parts by partial refraction or reflection at a surface and those two parts later made to combine to produce interference. Example: Thin film Interference, Air wedge, Newton rings etc

Theory of Interference Fringes: (Fringe Width): The Width between any two consecutive bright or dark fringes in the interference pattern is called Fringe width ().

Let us consider a narrow monochromatic source S and two narrow slits A,B which are equidistance from the source S. The coherent light coming from slits A and B gets superimposed and forms bright, dark interference pattern on the screen MN which is arranged D distance from the two sources A and B. Let C be a point on the screen which is equidistant from A and B. Therefore the path difference (BC-AC) between B and A reaching C is zero. Thus point C has maximum intensity. Let us consider a point P at a distance x from C. Then the path difference (BP-AP) between B and A on reaching P can be calculated as follows.

Let E and N are two points on the screen MN which are parallel to A and B respectively. Then from the figure PE=(x-d/2) and PF=(x+d/2).

From APE

AP2=AE2+PE2 AP2 =D2+(x-d/2)2--------------------- (1) From BPF BP2=BF2+PF2 BP2=D2+(x+d/2)2--------------------- (2) (2)-(1) we get BP2 - AP2 = D2+(x+d/2)2 (D2+(x-d/2)2) = D2+(x+d/2)2 D2 - (x-d/2)2 (BP-AP) (BP+AP) = 2xd 2xd Q Point P is very closer to C, Then BP = AP = D (BP-AP) = (BP + AP)

The path difference (BP-AP) =

2xd 2D

The Path difference

xd --------------- (3) D

The correspondent Phase difference is 2 xd = D

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Condition For Bright & Dark Fringes: For Bright Fringe: We know that the path difference for bright fringe is n, and then eqn (3) becomes xd =nwheren=0,1,2,3,.. D nD xn = ------------ (4) This equation gives the distance of bright fringes d from the point C.. That means from C, at distances x1, x2, x3. We have the bright fringes corresponding to n=1, 2, 3 .. etc. Therefore from equation (4) we get D If n=1 x1 = d 2 D n=2 x2 = d 3D x3 = d n=3 2D D D Therefore the distance between two consecutive bright fringes is x2 x1 = = d d d

i.e.,

D
d

------------ (5)

For Dark fringes: we know that the path difference for Dark fringe is (2n+1)/2, then qun (3) becomes xd =(2n+1)/2 D (2n + 1)D Therefore x n= -------------- (5) for n= 0, 1, 2, 3, 2d 3D If n=1 x1 = d 5D n=2 x2 = d 7D x3 = d n=3 5D 3D D Therefore the distance between two consecutive dark fringes is x2 x1 = = d d d

i.e.,

D
d

------------- (6)

Therefore from equation (5) &(6) it is clear that the distance between any two consecutive bright or dark fringes are same. From eqn (6) we understand that the ( ) value i) Directly proportional to the wave length of light used ( ) ii) Directly proportional to the distance of the screen from the two sources (D) iii) And it is Inversely proportional to the distance between the two coherent sources (d)
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Interference in thin films: (Reflected System) Principle: In thin films the Interference is due to superposition of waves reflecting from upper and bottom surface of the film We can observe the Interference pattern both reflected and transmitted cases. Description:

Let us consider a thin film of thicknesst bounded by two surfaces xx1 and yy1. Let the refractive index of the film material is . Let a ray of light PQ is incident with an angle of incidence i and touches XX1 at Q. At Q the light ray partially reflected in the direction QR and partially refracted with refracted angle r and travels in the direction QS and touches the YY1 at point S. At S it again reflect in the direction ST and finally refracts at T and travel in the direction TR1. Let TU is the perpendicular drown to QR and SV is another perpendicular drown to QT. It is shown in the figure.
Derivation:

From the figure we can say UTV = i and QSV = VST =r

Therefore from the figure we can say QS=ST and QV=VT The total path difference between reflected waves can be given as follows Total path difference is = Path difference in media - Path difference in the air = (QS+ST)-QU Q from the points U and T the two waves UR and TR1 travels equal distances. The path difference = (2QS)-QU =2 (QS) QU -------------------- (1)

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Since the ray QR is reflected from the Air to Denser media there is the phase difference of radians or /2 path difference. Therefore the effective path difference between QR & TR1 is

= 2t cos r /2
Case - i. Condition for bright Fringe: The film appear bright if the path difference = n i.e., 2t cosr/2=n

2t cosr=n+ /2
=(2n+1)/2 To get Bright fringe Path difference 2t cos r = (2n+1) /2

Case- ii. Condition for Dark fringe: The film appear dark if the path difference = (2n+1) /2 i.e., 2t cosr/2=(2n+1)/2 2t cosr=(2n+1)/2+/2
2 t cosr=(n+1) 2 t cosr=mwherem=(n+1)

To get dark fringe Path difference 2t cos r = m

Difference is /2. Hence destructive Interference occurs and the film appears Dark.

Case - iii. If thickness of thin film (t) is very small when compared to , then 2t cosr=0,thenthenet path

Note: If path difference is within the certain value Interference is possible. This value is called Coherent length. This length varies with the source of the light. If the path difference exceeds the coherence length interference does not occur. For thermal sources of light the coherence length is only in few tens of microns. Hence only for the films with thickness of the order of few microns, interference is possible.

Prakasam Engineering College

Name of the Faculty: P.V.V.Satyanarayana

Prakasam Engineering College

Name of the Faculty: P.V.V.Satyanarayana