Physical Optics - Problem Set 2

1. If one carries out the Young’s double-hole interference experiment using

microwaves of wavelength 3 cm, discuss the nature of the fringe pattern if
d = 0.1 cm, 1 cm, and 4 cm. You may assume D = 100 cm. Can you use
the expression for fringe width, given by λD/d in this problem?

2. In a Fresnel’s biprism arrangement b/a = 20, where b is the distance between

biprism and screen and a is distance between the source and the biprism, and
for sodium light (≡ 5893Å) one obtains a fringe width of 0.1 cm. Assuming
n = 1.5, calculate the biprism angle α.

3. A glass plate of refractive index 1.6 is in contact with another glass plate
of refractive index 1.8 along a line such that a wedge of 0.5◦ is formed.
Light of wavelength 5000Å is incident vertically on the wedge and the film
is viewed from the top. Calculate the fringe spacing. The whole apparatus
is immersed in an oil of refractive index 1.7. What will be the qualitative
difference in the fringe pattern and what will be the new fringe width?

4. In the Newton’s rings arrangement, the radius of curvature of the curved

side of the plano-convex lens is 1004 cm. For λ = 6 × 10−5 cm what will be
the radii of the 9th and 10th bright rings?

5. In the Newton’s rings arrangement, the radius of curvature of the curved

surface is 50 cm. The radii of the 9th and 16th dark rings are 0.18 cm and
0.2235 cm. Calculate the wavelength.

6. In the Newton’s rings arrangement if the incident light consists of two wave-
lengths 4000Å and 4002Å calculate the distance (from the point of contact)
at which the rings will disappear. Assume that the radius of curvature of
the curved surface is 400 cm. If lens is moved upward, calculate the height
at which fringe pattern around the center will disappear.

7. An equiconvex lens is placed on another equiconvex lens. The radii of

curvatures of the two surfaces of the upper lens are 50 cm and those of
the lower lens are 100 cm. The waves reflected from the upper and lower
surface of the air film (formed between the two lenses) interfere to produce
Newton’s rings. Calculate the radii of the dark rings. Assume = 6000Å.

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8. In the Michelson interferometer arrangement, if one of the mirrors is moved
by a distance 0.08 mm, 250 fringes cross the field of view. Calculate the
wavelength.