Determination of the Resolving Power of a Prism

APPARATUS: Spectrometer, Prism, Traveling microscope, Na-Lamp, Hg discharge tube,

Adjustable single slit, Vernire caliper.
THEORY: Method (i)
By the definition, Resolving power of a prism (R) is given by,

R
d
d
R
d d
d d d

d d d
The refractive index, , is given by the equation below.
A
sin

A
sin
2
A
A
cos
2sin

d
d
2
2

d
d
A
A
2sin
cos

2
2
A
2sin
d
d
2

Then,
d
A d
cos

2
Where A and are angle of the prism and minimum deviation respectively.
Diffraction limit of the Rayleigh Criterion, (minimum resolvable separation between two
wave fronts)

d
b
where b is the beam width.
b
d
Assuming Cauchy expression, is given by,

d 2
3
d

Where and are Cauchys constants.

can be calculated by plotting a graph of vVs. 1/2.
From (1) , (2) and (3),

2 t
3

Where, t

2b sin A

cos