Lecture Outlines

Chapter 28

Physics, 3rd Edition

James S. Walker

2007 Pearson Prentice Hall

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Chapter 28
Physical Optics:
Interference and Diffraction

Units of Chapter 28
Superposition and Interference
Youngs Two-Slit Experiment
Interference in Reflected Waves
Diffraction
Resolution
Diffraction Gratings

28-1 Superposition and Interference

If two waves occupy the same space, their
amplitudes add at each point. They may
interfere either constructively or destructively.

28-1 Superposition and Interference

Interference is only noticeable if the light
sources are monochromatic (so all the light has
the same wavelength) and coherent (different
sources maintain the same phase relationship
over space and time).
If this is true, interference will be constructive
where the two waves are in phase, and
destructive where they are out of phase.

28-1 Superposition and Interference

In this illustration,
interference will be
constructive where
the path lengths differ
by an integral number
of wavelengths,
and destructive where they
differ by a half-odd integral number
of wavelengths.

28-1 Superposition and Interference

To summarize, the two path lengths l1 and l2 will
interfere constructively or destructively according
to the following:

28-2 Youngs Two-Slit

Experiment

In this experiment, the original

light source need not be coherent;
it becomes so after passing
through the very narrow slits.

28-2 Youngs Two-Slit Experiment

If light consists of particles, the
final screen should show two thin
stripes, one corresponding to
each slit. However, if light is a
wave, each slit serves as a new
source of wavelets, as shown,
and the final screen will show the
effects of interference. This is
called Huygenss principle.

28-2 Youngs Two-Slit Experiment

As the pattern on the screen shows, the light on
the screen has alternating light and dark fringes,
corresponding to constructive and destructive
interference.
The path difference is given by:

Therefore, the condition for bright fringes

(constructive interference) is:

28-2 Youngs Two-Slit Experiment

The dark fringes are

between the bright
fringes; the condition
for dark fringes is:

28-2 Youngs Two-Slit Experiment

This diagram
illustrates the
numbering of the
fringes.

28-3 Interference in Reflected Waves

Reflected waves can interfere due to path length
differences, but they can also interfere due to
phase changes upon reflection.

28-3 Interference in Reflected Waves

There is no phase change when light reflects

from a region with a lower index of refraction.
There is a half-wavelength phase change when
light reflects from a region with a higher index of
refraction, or from a solid surface.
There is also no phase change in the refracted
wave.

28-3 Interference in Reflected Waves

Constructive interference:

Destructive interference:

28-3 Interference in Reflected Waves

Interference can also occur when light refracts
and reflects from both surfaces of a thin film.
This accounts for the colors we see in oil slicks
and soap bubbles.
Now, we have not only
path differences and
phase changes on
reflection; we also must
account for the change
in wavelength as the
light travels through the
film.

28-3 Interference in Reflected Waves

Wavelength of light in a medium of index of
refraction n:

Therefore, the condition for destructive

interference, where t is the thickness of the film, is:

28-3 Interference in Reflected Waves

The condition for constructive interference:

The rainbow of colors we see is

due to the different wavelengths
of light.

28-3 Interference in Reflected Waves

The phase changes upon reflection depend on
the indices of refraction of the film and the
surrounding media:

28-3 Interference in Reflected Waves

CDs (compact disks) depend on interference for
their functioning. The signal is encoded as tiny
bumps in the surface, and the reflected laser
beam varies in intensity depending on whether it
is reflecting from a bump or not.

28-4 Diffraction
A wave passing
through a small
opening will diffract,
as shown. This means
that, after the opening,
there are waves
traveling in directions
other than the
direction of the
original wave.

28-4 Diffraction
Diffraction is why we can hear sound even though
we are not in a straight line from the source
sound waves will diffract around doors, corners,
and other barriers.
The amount of diffraction depends on the
wavelength, which is why we can hear around
corners but not see around them.

28-4 Diffraction
To investigate the
diffraction of light, we
consider what happens
when light passes
through a very narrow
slit. As the figure
indicates, what we see
on the screen is a
single-slit diffraction
pattern.

28-4 Diffraction
This pattern is due to the difference in path
length from different parts of the opening.
The first dark fringe
occurs when:

28-4 Diffraction
The second dark fringe
occurs when:

28-4 Diffraction
In general, then, we have for the dark fringes in a
single-slit interference pattern:

The positive and negative values of m account

for the symmetry of the pattern around the
center.
Diffraction fringes can be observed by holding
your finger and thumb very close together (it
helps not to be too farsighted!)

28-5 Resolution
Diffraction through a small circular aperture
results in a circular pattern of fringes. This
limits our ability to distinguish one object from
another when they are very close.
The location of the first dark fringe determines
the size of the central spot:

28-5 Resolution
Rayleighs criterion relates the size of the central
spot to the limit at which two objects can be
distinguished:
If the first dark fringe of one circular diffraction
pattern passes through the center of a second
diffraction pattern, the two sources responsible for the
patterns will appear to be a single source.
The size of the spot increases with wavelength,
and decreases with the size of the aperture.

28-5 Resolution
On the left, there appears to be a single source;
on the right, two sources can be clearly
resolved.

28-6 Diffraction Gratings

A system with a large number of slits is called a
diffraction grating.
As the number of slits grows, the peaks become
narrower and more intense. Here is the
diffraction pattern for five slits:

28-6 Diffraction Gratings

The positions of the peaks
are different for different
wavelengths of light.
The condition for
constructive interference
in a diffraction grating:

28-6 Diffraction Gratings

There are many ways to construct diffraction
gratings.
This acoustic-optic
modulator diffracts
light from acoustic
wavefronts in the
crystal. Turning the
sound off eliminates
the signal; changing
the sound frequency
modifies it.

28-6 Diffraction Gratings

X-ray diffraction is used to determine crystal
structure the spacing between crystal planes
is close enough to the wavelength of the X-rays
to allow diffraction patterns to be seen.
A grating
spectroscope allows
precise
determination of
wavelength:

28-6 Diffraction Gratings

Diffraction can also be observed upon reflection
from narrowly-spaced reflective grooves; the
most familiar example is the recorded side of a
CD. Some insect wings also display reflective
diffraction, especially butterfly wings.

Summary of Chapter 28
When two waves are superposed, the result
may be either constructive or destructive
interference.
Monochromatic light consists of a single
frequency.
Coherent light maintains a constant phase
relationship.
Youngs two-slit experiment shows light and
dark interference fringes.

Summary of Chapter 28
Bright fringes:
Dark fringes:

Thin films can form colors in reflected light

through the destructive interference of other
colors.

Summary of Chapter 28
When a wave encounters an obstacle or
opening, it changes direction. This is called
diffraction.
When monochromatic light passes through a
narrow slit, a pattern of bright and dark fringes is
produced.
Dark fringes (W is the width of the slit):

Summary of Chapter 28
Resolution is the ability to distinguish closely
spaced objects. Diffraction limits resolution.
Rayleighs criterion: if two objects are separated
by less than the minimum angle, they cannot be
distinguished:
A diffraction grating is a large number of small
slits. Principal maxima: