Physics Lab Report – 7 Sam Prince Franklin K

20MIS1115

Aim:
TO DETERMINE THE SIZE OF A PARTICLE USING LASER DIFFRACTION PATTERN.

Apparatus:
• Screen
• Laser
• Particles
• Glass Plate

Theory:
Diffraction:
The phenomenon exhibited by wave fronts that, passing the edge of an opaque body, are
modulated, thereby causing a redistribution of energy within the front: it is detectable in light
waves by the presence of a pattern of closely spaced dark and light bands (diffraction
pattern ) at the edge of a shadow.

Fraunhofer Diffraction:
Fraunhofer diffraction is the type of diffraction that occurs in the limit of small Fresnel

number . In Fraunhofer diffraction, the diffraction pattern is independent of the distance

to the screen, depending only on the angles to the screen from the aperture.
Physics Lab Report – 7 Sam Prince Franklin K
20MIS1115
Airy Disc:
The diffraction pattern resulting from a uniformly illuminated, circular aperture has a bright
central region, known as the Airy disk, which together with the series of concentric rings around is called
the Airy pattern.

Assumptions:
1. Particles are spherical in nature and they do not absorb light.
2. Particle diameter must be at least 3-5 times bigger than λ – value (normally μm).
3. The distance between 2 particles must be 3-5 times greater than their diameter.

Formula:
D = (order of dark ring) x 𝜆𝑑𝑟
Where,
D = Size of particles (μm)
λ = Wavelength of source
d = Distance between particle and screen.
r = Radius of the dark ring

Procedures:
1. Place the imprinted diameter screen at the edge of the measuring bench.
2. Place the glass plate between the laser source and screen.
3. Adjust the relative positions of laser and the glass plate to get clear concentric circular rings of
bright and dark fringes on the screen.
4. For three different positions of glass plate with respect to screen, estimate the diameters of first
and second order fringes.
Physics Lab Report – 7 Sam Prince Franklin K
20MIS1115

Precautious/Sources of Error:
1. There could be some scratches on the glass surface.
2. There glass surface may have broken edges which may not give a proper grip.
3. There concentric circles may not be of the specified radius.

Observations/Data:
(Dataset – 4)
λ = 660 nm
Diffraction Diameter of dark Radius of dark
d D
Order ring ring
1 1.4 0.7 34.509
30
2 2.6 1.3 33.965
1 1.2 0.6 33.550
25
2 2.2 1.1 33.450
1 1 0.5 32.208
20
2 1.8 0.9 32.707

Calculations:

1. When,
• Diffraction order = 1, d = 30, radius = 0.7
• D = 1.22 x 660 𝑥 10
0.7
−9𝑥 30
= 1.22 x 28285.71 x 10 -9 = 34508.57 x 10 -9m ≅34.509 μm.
• Diffraction order = 2, d = 30, radius = 1.3
• D = 2.23 x 660 𝑥 10
1.3
−9𝑥 30
= 2.23 x 15230.77 x 10 -9= 33964.62 x 10 -9m ≅33.965 μm.

2. When,
• Diffraction order = 1, d = 25, radius = 0.6
• D = 1.22 x 660 𝑥 10
0.6
−9𝑥 25
= 1.22 x 27500 x 10 -9= 33550x 10 -9m ≅ 33.550 μm.
• Diffraction order = 2, d = 25, radius = 1.1
Physics Lab Report – 7 Sam Prince Franklin K
20MIS1115
• D = 2.23 x 660 𝑥 10−9𝑥 25
1.1
= 2.23 x 15000 x 10 = 33450 x 10 m ≅ 33.450 μm.
-9 -9

3. When,
• Diffraction order = 1, d = 20, radius = 0.5
• D = 1.22 x 660 𝑥 10
0.5
−9𝑥 20
= 1.22 x 26400 x 10 -9= 32208 x 10 -9m ≅32.208 μm.
• Diffraction order = 2, d = 20, radius = 0.9
• D = 2.23 x 660 𝑥 10
0.9
−9𝑥 20
= 2.23 x 14666.67 x 10 -9= 32706.67 x 10 -9m ≅32.707 μm.

𝟑𝟒.𝟓𝟎𝟗+𝟑𝟑.𝟗𝟔𝟓+𝟑𝟑.𝟓𝟓𝟎+𝟑𝟑.𝟒𝟓𝟎+𝟑𝟐.𝟐𝟎+𝟑𝟐.𝟕𝟎𝟕
Mean = 6

Mean value of D = 33.398 μm.

Error Analysis:

X1 = 34.509, X2 = 33.965, X3 = 33.550, X4 = 33.450, X5 = 32.28, X6 = 32.707

n=6
Sum = Σ Xi = X1 + X2 + X3 + X4 + X5 + X6 = 200.389
Minimum Value = 32.208
Maximum Value = 34.509
Range = Maximum Value – Minimum Value = 34.509 – 32.208 = 2.301
(𝑿−𝒀)𝟐 3.475
Variance = S2 = 𝒏−𝟏
= 𝟓
= 0.695

Where,
X = Xi
̄ (Mean)
Y=X
Standard Deviation S = √ (Variance) = √ 0.695 = 0.834.

Result:
Mean Value of D = 33.398 ± 0.834.

Inference:
The phenomenon of diffraction of a laser was used to estimate the average size of spherical
particles in micron range.