Chapter 35

Interference
Physics 72 8:45- 9:45 pm
May 8, 2015
TWHFR-x

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 Chapter 1:
Interference and
Coherent Sources

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Objectives:
Determine the conditions for interference to occur

Relatepath difference to two types of interference

(constructive and destructive interference)

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Geometric optics vs Physical Optics
In chap 33 and 34 we used the rays to represent light.

For an observer to see and image, there should be no

obstruction.

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Geometric optics vs Physical Optics
If we only use geometric optics: What actually happens:

2 slits

Screen

We observe interference effects!

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Interference
Overlapping of two or more waves

Governed by principle of superposition

When two or more waves overlap, the resultant

displacement at any point and at any instant is found
by adding the instantaneous displacements that
would be produced at the point by the individual
waves if each were present alone.

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Interference
Sinusoidal waves with
single frequency f
and wavelength

Characteristic of
monochromatic light

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Interference
Two sources of monochromatic waves
1 and 2 with same amplitude and
wavelength
In phase (vibrate in unison)

Two sources with same frequency and

constant phase relationship (not
necessarily in phase) are called
coherent.
If the coherent waves are transverse,
they also have the same polarization.
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Interference
Constructive Interference
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Path difference between
the two waves are an
integral multiple of
wavelength
r2 r1 m
m 0, 1,2,...
Amplitude increases
Interference
Destructive Interference Path difference between the
two waves are half integral
multiple of wavelength

1
r2 r1 m
2
m 0,1,2,...

Amplitude decreases
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Interference
Constructive Interference

Destructive Interference

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Example:
Two sources S1 and S2 oscillating in phase emit sinusoidal
waves. Point P is 7.3 wavelengths from source S1 and 4.3
wavelengths away from source S2. As a result, at point P
there is
A. constructive interference.
B. destructive interference.
C. neither constructive nor destructive interference.
D. not enough information given to decide.
1
r2 r1 m r2 r1 m
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Example:
Two sources S1 and S2 oscillating in phase emit sinusoidal
waves. Point P is 7.3 wavelengths from source S1 and 4.6
wavelengths from source S2. As a result, at point P there is

A. constructive interference.
B. destructive interference.
C. neither constructive nor destructive interference.
D. not enough information given to decide.
1
r2 r1 m r2 r1 m
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Example:
Two coherent sources emit light of the same wavelength
(=500 nm). If the 2 beams from the 2 sources intersect in
space, which of the following path differences between the
2 beams will you observe constructive interference?
r2 r1 = m
A. 800 nm For m = 1:
B. 1200 nm r2 r1 = 1 500 nm = 500 nm
C. 1250 nm For m = 2:
D. 1500 nm r2 r1 = 2 500 nm = 1000 nm
E. 1750 nm
For m = 3:
r2 r1 = 3 500 nm = 1500 nm
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Example:
Destructive interference is observed when the two
interfering sources emitting light of the same
wavelength have a path difference of 600nm. Which
among the following is/are the possible wavelengths of
the two sources? 1
r2 r1 = m +
A. 240 nm 2
For m = 1:
B. 300 nm 1 2 600 nm
600 nm = 1 + = = 400 nm
2 3
C. 400 nm
For m = 2:
D.500 nm 1 2 600 nm
600 nm = 2 + = = 240 nm
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 Chapter 2:
Two-source interference
of light

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Objectives:

Locate the spatial points where constructive

and destructive interference takes place

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Two source interference
Monochromatic waves

Coherent

One of the first to demonstrate

two source interference of light is
Thomas Young (1800)

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Youngs Experiment

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Youngs Experiment

Path difference in
r2 r1 d sin Youngs 2 slit experiment
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Two source interference
Recall: Path difference for Constructive and
Destructive interference
1
r2 r1 m r2 r1 m
2
Constructive Destructive
(bright bands) (dark bands)

d sin m 1
d sin m
2
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Two source interference
Position of Bright bands (ym )

ym = R tan m
ym << R so:
ym = R sin m
m
d sin m = m sin m =
d
m
ym = R
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d
Two source interference
Position of Dark bands (ym )

ym = R tan m
ym << R so:
ym = R sin m
1 1
d sin m = m + sin m = m +
2 2 d

1 R
ym = m +
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2 d
For interference

2
ym 2 R
d

ym1 R
d

ym0 0

There is a BRIGHT
BAND at the center
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Example:
In Youngs experiment, coherent light passing through two
slits (S1 and S2) produces a pattern of dark and bright areas
on a distant screen. If the wavelength of the light is
increased, how does the pattern change?
m
A. The bright areas move closer together. ym R
d
B. The bright areas move farther apart.
C. The spacing between bright areas remains the
same, but the color changes.
D. any of the above, depending on circumstances

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Example:
In Youngs experiment, coherent light passing through two
slits (S1 and S2) produces a pattern of dark and bright areas
on a distant screen.
What is the difference between the distance from S1 to the
m=+3 bright area and the distance from S2 to the
m= +3 bright area?

A. three wavelengths
r2 r1 m
B. three half-wavelengths
C. three quarter-wavelengths
D. not enough information given to decide
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Quiz:
In a 2 slit experiment, the slit separation is 1mm and the
wavelength of light is 500nm. What is the distance of the
1st bright fringe from the central fringe if the screen is 1m
away from the slits?
m
For Bright fringes: ym R
d
For central bright fringe: m = 0
ym1 ym0 R 0
For 1st bright fringe: m = 1 d
6
500 10 m
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