Interference

➢When two or more waves having same frequency and constant phase difference
superimpose with each other, the intensity of light should be modified. The
redistribution of intensity is called Interference.

➢The interference phenomena provide direct evidence for the wave nature of light

➢The theory of interference was developed by Thomas Young in 1801

➢ Before we discuss about the concept of Interference, it is essential to know about the waves
and Superposition principle
 Types of Interferences

1.Constructive interference

2.Destructive interference
1) Constructive interference:
The interference, where the resultant intensity is greater than the sum of
individual intensities is called constructive interference.

Condition for constructive interference:


 = 𝑛 = 2𝑛 where, n = 0,1,2,3,……
2

Crest of one wave superimposes on

the crest of second wave.
2) Destructive interference:
The interference, where the resultant intensity is less than the sum of
individual intensities is called destructive interference.
Condition for destructive interference

 = 2𝑛 + 1 where, n = 0,1,2,3,…
2

Crest of one wave superimposes on

the trough of second wave
Superposition of waves of equal phase and frequency

➢ If y1 = a sinwt and y2 = b sinwt, then the resultant displacement of the waves is

y = y1 + y2 = a sinwt + b sinwt = (a + b) sinwt = A sinwt

Where A = a + b is the resultant amplitude

➢ The square of the amplitude is called intensity, denoted by I as

𝑰 = 𝑨𝟐 =(𝒂 + 𝒃)𝟐
Superposition of waves of same frequency and constant phase difference

➢Let us assume y1 and y2 be the displacements of the two waves at any

instant then

y1 = a sinwt and y2 = b sin (wt + φ)

According to Superposition principle,

Y = y1 + y2 = a sin wt + b sin (wt + φ)

= a sin wt + b sin wt cos φ + b cos wt sin φ
= (a + b cos φ) sin wt + (b sin φ) cos wt
= R cos θ sin wt + R sin θ cos wt
= R sin (wt + θ)

The resultant amplitude R can be calculated as

R cos θ = (a + b cos φ) and R sin θ = b sin φ

(R cos θ)2 + (R sin θ)2 = (a + b cos φ)2 + (b sin φ )2
R2 (cos2 θ + sin2 θ) = a2 + b2 cos2 φ + 2ab cos φ + b2 sin2 φ
R2 = a2 + b2 + 2ab cos φ
R = a2 + b 2 + 2ab cos φ

The resultant phase θ can be calculated as

𝑹𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝜽 b sin φ
=
𝑹𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝜽 a + b cos φ
b sin φ
tan θ = a + b cos φ
b sin φ
θ = 𝒕𝒂𝒏−𝟏 ( a + b cos φ )
➢ The resultant amplitude depends on the amplitudes of individual waves and phase difference between
two waves

R = a𝟐 + b𝟐 + 2ab cos φ

➢ If φ = 0, then cos φ = 1 and R = a𝟐 + b𝟐 + 2ab cos φ = a𝟐 + b𝟐 + 2ab = (a + b)𝟐 = a + b

➢ The intensity of the wave, I = (a + b)𝟐 = a𝟐 + b𝟐 + 2ab cos φ

➢ To get the maximum intensity, cos φ = 1

cos φ = cos 2nπ with n = 0, 1, 2, …
φ = 2nπ with n = 0, 1, 2, …

➢ To get the minimum intensity, cos φ = 0

cos φ = cos (2n+1)π/2 with n = 0, 1, 2, …
φ = (2n+1)π/2 with n = 0, 1, 2, …
➢ If the amplitudes of both waves are equal, a = b then

The intensity of the wave, I = a𝟐 + b𝟐 + 2ab cos φ

= a2 + a2 + 2a2 cos φ
= 2a2 (1 + cos φ)
φ
= 2a2 (1 + 2 cos 2 − 1)
2
φ
I = 4a2 cos 2
2
Relation between Phase difference and Path Difference

2𝜋 Phase Difference = λ Path Difference

𝜆
𝜋 Phase Difference = Path Difference
2

𝜋 𝜆
Phase Difference = Path Difference
2 4

2𝜋
Phase Difference = x Path Difference
λ
λ
Path Difference = x Phase Difference
2𝜋
 Condition for Constructive and Destructive Interferences
Path or Phase Constructive Destructive
Difference Interference Interference
Path  
 = 𝑛 or 2𝑛  = (2𝑛 ± 1)
Difference 2 2
where n = 0, 1, 2, 3,… where, n = 0,1,2,3,…

Phase φ = 2nπ Φ = (2n+1)π/2

Difference where n = 0, 1, 2, … where n = 0, 1, 2, …
Constructive Interference
Destructive Interference
Conditions for Sustained interference

➢ The two sources should be coherent (same frequency, wavelength and same

phase or constant phase difference)

➢ Two sources should have same amplitude

➢ Two sources must be very close to each other

➢ Two sources should emit light waves continuously

 Interference in surface waves: waves emitting are in phase
S1 and S2 are point sources vibrating in phase
Crests: Solid lines &Troughs: Dotted lines
At point A; Path difference, S1A-S2A=0,
Resultant Displacement at point A, y=y1+y2 = 2acosωt
Corresponds to constructive interference, Where y1 =
(acosωt) and y2 = (a cosωt) represent the displacements
at point A due to S1 and S2 respectively
At point B; Path difference, S1B-S2B = λ/2
Resultant displacement at point B, y = y1+y2 =0
corresponds to destructive interference, where
Displacement due to S1 is y1 = (a cosωt)
Displacement due to S2 is y1 = (a cosωt-π) = - a cosωt
Points having minimum intensity corresponding to
destructive interference and are called nodes
At point C; Path difference, S1C-S2C=λ
Resultant Displacement at point A, y = y1+y2 = 2acosωt
Corresponds to constructive interference.
At any point P, if the path difference,
If S1P-S2P= mλ Constructive interference
If S1P-S2P= (m+1/2)λ Destructive interference
Locus of points corresponding to minimum and maximum

Nodal curves
Interference in surface waves: waves emitting are out of phase
At point B; Path difference, S1B-S2B=0

Resultant Displacement at point A, y=y1+y2 = 2acosωt

Corresponds to constructive interference, Where
y1(acosωt) and y2 (a cosωt) represent the
displacements at point B due to S1 and S2 respectively

S1 and S2 are point sources vibrating out of phase by π At point C; Path difference, S1C-S2C=λ
Crests: Solid lines &Troughs: Dotted lines
Resultant Displacement at point A, y=y1+y2 = 0
At point A; Path difference, S2A-S1A=λ/2 Corresponds to destructive interference.

Resultant displacement at point A, y=y1+y2 =0

corresponds to destructive interference, where At any point P, if the path difference,
Displacement due to S2 is y1 =(a cosωt)
Displacement due to S1 is y1 =(a cosωt-π) =- a cosωt S2P-S1P= mλ Destructive interference
Points having minimum intensity corresponding to S2P-S1P= (m+1/2)λ Constructive interference
destructive interference and are called nodes
 A. Interference of light waves by the division of wave front
Demonstration of inference of light waves using Young’s experiment

Resultant displacement, Y=y1+y2

=R sin (ωt+θ)

where R=a12+a22+2a1a2cos δ is the resultant amplitude

At point P, Phase difference δ=2π/λ(S2P-S1P)

For arbitrary point P (on line LL’),

S1 and S2 are point sources, d is distance between
the path difference S2P-S1P = nλ, where n=0,1, 2,……
point sources and D is distance between source and
corresponds to constructive interference
screen
S2P-S1P = (2n+1) λD/d, where n=0,1, 2,…… corresponds
Displacement at point P due to S1, y1=a1 sinωt to destructive interference
Displacement at point P due to S2, y2=a2 sin (ωt+δ)
where δ is the phase difference between two waves
 Interference of light waves by the division of wave front

Optical Path Difference between the Waves at P

Let the point P be at a distance x from O

PE = x – d / 2 and PF = x + d / 2
Interference pattern by the division of wave front: Shape of the fringes on the screen

Distance between two consecutive light (dark) fringes

Fringe width (β) = ym+1 - ym = λD/d

Both light and dark fringes are equally spaced

Locus of image points on the screen can be given by equation

Fig: Arrangement for observing interference pattern

Distance of the mth fringe on y axis from the center Thus the shape of the fringes is hyperbolic
of the screen, if ym<<D,
If x2 << D2, loci are straight lines parallel to the x axis
Ym= mλD/d
 Lateral Displacement of Fringes

The optical path

since in the presence of the thin sheet, the optical path lengths S1P
and S2P are equal and central zero fringe is obtained at P.
Interference pattern: different Shape of the fringes on the screen

Straight lines Concentric rings Miscellaneous Elliptical Miscellaneous

Miscellaneous