Diffraction due to grating using He-Ne Laser

Object:-
(a) To determine the wave length of He-Ne laser by transmission grating.
(b) To determine the number of lines in the grating.

Items Required:-
He-Ne Laser, Transmission grating, Measuring tape, Screen, Grating mount, Base for screen
and grating mount.

Theory:-
The wavelength of laser light can be measured easily by use of a transmission diffraction
grating. A transmission grating is an optical component which produces spectrum of light
due to diffraction. It has large number of lines grooved on it. Now day’s replica gratings are
used for experimental purposes.

If d is the spacing between the lines, then according to diffraction formula

d sin=n

where  is the angle between the direct beam and diffracted beam, n is the order of
spectrum,  is the wavelength of laser light. For first order spectrum n=1, then

d sin =

By knowing d (1/number of lines per cm) and measuring the angle  subtended between
the direct beam and first spot, we can determine the wavelength of laser light. On the other
hand if we know the wavelength of laser light we can find out number of grooves or lines
per cm or per inch on the grating by measuring the angle .
Procedure:-
1. Mount the grating in the grating holder which is fixed on a circular table.
2. Illuminate the grating almost at the center by placing it about 20-25 cm away from the
laser. The laser should be mounted in such a way so that its beam falls almost
horizontally in the center of the grating.
3. The beam on passing through the grating produces several spot due to diffraction. The
separation between the spot is large, if you are using the grating with a large number of
lines. The separation is small when you use the grating having smaller number of lines.
4. The spectrum can be seen on the wall at a distance of about 1m to 1.5meters. Screen
can be used only for or small distances from grating. At larger distances separation
between spot is also large and the size of screen becomes very small. For very accurate
results observations are made at distances 1 to 1.5 meters away from grating.
5. In the spectrum there is one bright spot called central maxima. On both sides of central
maxima there are several spots of diminishing intensity. First spot adjacent to central
maxima is due to 1st order spectrum, second spot from central maxima is due to second
order spectrum and so on and so forth.
6. Now measure the separation between the central maxima and first spot, say it is x cm.
Also measure the distance of the central spot from the grating, say it is r cm.

x
Then θ= radian
r

To convert it into degree multiply it by 180/π

Find out the value of sin from log table.

As =d sin and d=1/number of lines per cm

sin❑
Then =
number of lines per cm

From this relation  can be calculated.

If you wish to calculate number of lines per centimeter then 1/d or number of lines =
sin/

Put the value of sin as measured and  (6328 x 10 cm)-8 in this formula you will get the
number of grooves per centimeter.
Observations:-
Least count of the measuring tape =0.1cm
Number of lines= 6000 lines/cm
Table for wavelength measurement

S.No. R(cm) X (cm) Sin 

Mean wavelength = percentage Error