INTERFERENCE & DIFFRACTION

-By Anand Sir

Principle of Superposition
Statement
“When two or more waves of same frequency, travelling through a
medium arrives at a point simultaneously, then each wave produced its
own displacement independently. The resultant displacement at a
point is the vector sum of displacement of each wave”.
Interference of light
When two light waves superimpose then the resultant
amplitude & intensity in the region of superposition is
different than the individual wave. This modification in
distribution of intensity in the region of superposition is
called Interference of light.
 Young’s Double Slit Experiment
• S1 & S2 are the equidistant,
monochromatic & closed to each
other.
• Spherical waves moves out From S1
& S2.
• Waves having same amplitude &
wavelength.
• Bright & dark Spots on Screen .
• Bright Spot is due to the fact that
two waves are in phase & path
difference is λ.
• Dark spot is due to the fact that two
waves are out of phase & path
difference is λ/2
Constructive & Destructive Interference
Constructive
• Two waves are in Phase
• Resultant Displacement i.e. intensity
is maximum
• Point appears Bright
Destructive
• Two waves are out of phase
• Resultant Displacement i.e. intensity
is minimum
• Point appears Dark
Condition for Interference of Light
• Two sources of light must be Coherent.
• Two sources of light must be
Monochromatic.
• Two sources must be equally bright.
• Two sources must be narrow.
• Separation between the sources should be
small.
• The distance between two sources & screen
must be large.
Coherent Sources
• The two sources having zero or constant phase difference.
• Nearly same amplitude .
• Same Frequency.
• Maximum Intensity when Phase difference is integral multiple
of 2π & path difference between two waves is integral multiple
of wavelength i.e nλ.
• Minimum intensity when phase difference is π & path
difference between two waves is odd multiple of half of
wavelength i.e (2n+/-1)λ/2.
• Calculation of Phase difference
If x is the path difference the the
2π
Phase difference = λ Path difference
Types of Interference
Phenomenon of Interference can be occurs in two ways
Division of wave front Division of Amplitude
• Splitting of incident wave front in • Splitting of wave front in two or
two parts due to two apertures more parts either by partial
placed side by side . reflection or refraction.
• Two wave fronts covers unequal • After travelling different paths
distance ,reunite at some points wave fronts reunite to produce
to produce interference. interference.
Thin Film
• The film having thickness is of the order of one
wavelength of visible light(5500 A⁰)
• Ex. Glass sheet, Mica , Soap bubble, oil on water surface
Derivation for Thin film Interference & Conditions for Brightness &
Darkness
• Consider thin film of thickness ‘t’
and refractive index ‘’.
• A ray of light is incident on upper
surface of thin film along AB.
• At ‘B’ it is partially reflected &
refracted .
N
• At point ‘D’ on x’y’ it is reflected
along DE & come out as EF in air
medium.
• Draw EG as perpendicular to BC.
• Consider the reflected rays BC &
EF.
• The reflected BC ray travels a
distance BG & reflected EF ray
travels a distance of BDE in
medium of R.I. ‘’
Optical path difference is given by
=(BD+DE)-BG ……..(Eq.1)
Consider in BDN
𝑁𝐷 𝑡 𝑡
Cos r=𝐵𝐷  Cos r= 𝐵𝐷  BD = 𝐶𝑜𝑠 𝑟
Similarlly, in EDN
𝑁𝐷 𝑡 𝑡
Cos r= 𝐷𝐸  Cos r =𝐷𝐸  DE =𝐶𝑜𝑠 𝑟
2𝑡
(BD+DE)= 𝐶𝑜𝑠 𝑟 …………(Eq.2)
Consider in BGE
𝐵𝐺
Sin i=𝐵𝐸
BG= BE Sin i
BG=(BN+NE) Sin i
𝐵𝑁
BG=(t tan r + t tan r) sin i / ⸪ tan r = 𝑡
BN=t tan r
NE=t tan r
BG= 2t tan r sin i
sin 𝑟
BG=2t sin i
𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑟
sin 𝑖
A/c to snells law  =
sin 𝑟
sin i= sin r
sin2 𝑟
BG=2t ………….(Eq.3)
𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑟
Put Eq.2 & 3 in Eq.1
2t sin2 𝑟
= − 2t
𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑟 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑟
2t
= (1 − sin2 𝑟)
𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑟
2t
= cos2 𝑟
𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑟

=2t cos 𝑟……………………(Eq.4)

Whenever light ray is reflected from optically denser medium, a phase change of
 or path difference of /2
The correct Eq. is

=2t cos 𝑟- …………..(Eq.5)
2
Case-I Condition for Brightness Case-II Condition for Darkness

For brightness For Darkness

Path difference=n 
Path difference=(2n-1)
 2
2t cos 𝑟- = n  
2
 2t cos 𝑟- =(2n-1)
2 2
2t cos 𝑟 = n +
2  
 2t cos 𝑟=n- +
2 2
2t cos 𝑟 = (2n+1)
2 2t cos 𝑟=n
 Newton’s Rings
• When a plano-convex lens with its convex surface is placed on a plane glass sheet, an air
film of gradually increasing thickness outward is formed between the lens and the sheet.
The thickness of film at the point of contact is zero & gradually increases away from the
center.
• Newton's rings are formed due to interference between the light waves reflected from
the top and bottom surfaces of the air film formed between the lens and glass sheet.
 
• Condition for constructive interference is 2t=(2n+1)
2
• Condition for destructive interference is 2t= n
 Equation for Radius of Newton’s Ring
(Dark & Bright ring)
• Let R be the radius of curvature of lens ‘L’.
• ‘t’ thickness of air film at a distance AF=r from the point
of contact ‘A’.
By the theorem of intersecting chords
(DB)(BE)=(AB)(BC)……….(Eq.1)
Since DB=BE=r & AB= t , BC=2R-t
Put in Eq.1
r2 = t(2R-t)r2 =2Rt-t2
Since t is very small t2=0
𝑟2
r2 = 2Rt t= … … Eq. 2
2𝑅
Put Eq.2 in the condition for brightness & darkness
Radius of Bright Ring Radius of Dark Ring
 2t=n
2t=(2n+1)
2 𝑟2
𝑟2  2 = n
2𝑅
2 = (2n+1)
2𝑅 2 r2 = nR
𝑅
r2 = (2n+1) r = 𝑛𝑅 ……(Eq.4)
2

(2𝑛+1)λ𝑅
r= ……(Eq.3)
2
 Wavelength of Sodium light by Newton’s Rings
• Consider monochromatic light source.
• Concentric bright & dark rings are observed.
• Lets measure the diameter of nth & (n+p)th dark
ring.
The diameter of n th dark ring is
Dn=2 𝑛𝑅 D2n=4nR………(Eq.1)
The diameter of (n+p) th dark ring is
Dn+p=2 (𝑛 + 𝑝)λ𝑅 D2n+p=4(n+p)R …..(Eq.2)
(Eq.2)- (Eq.1)D2n+p – D2n= 4(n+p)R – 4nR
=4pR
𝐷2𝑛 𝑝−𝐷2𝑛
= + ……(Eq.3)
4𝑝𝑅
 Wavelength of Sodium light by Newton’s Rings
Now the graph is plotted between
D2n & n, which is found to be straight
line.
𝐷2𝑛 𝑝 𝐷2𝑛
slope= + −
𝑛+𝑝 −𝑛
𝐷2𝑛 𝐷2𝑛
slope= 𝑝
+ −
𝑝
from Eq.3
𝑆𝑙𝑜𝑝𝑒
=
4𝑅
 Determination of R.I of Liquid with the help of
Newton’s Rings
• Let the space between glass plate & Plano convex lens is filled
with liquid (water).
• Let w be the R.I of Liquid.
• Condition for destructive interference for Newton's ring is 2t=n
• The radius of Dark ring with liquid medium is
𝑛𝑅
r= … … … . . 𝐸𝑞. 1
w
 The diameter of nth dark ring with liquid is
𝑛𝑅
 D n= 2 ………………(Eq.2)
w
4𝑛𝑅
 D 2 n= ………………………(Eq.3)
w
Similarly the diameter of n+p th dark ring with liquid is
4(𝑛+𝑝)𝑅
D2n+p= ……………….(Eq.4)
w
 Determination of R.I of Liquid with the help of
Newton’s Rings
4(𝑛+𝑝)𝑅 4𝑛𝑅
(Eq.4)-(Eq.3)  D2n+p - D2n= - 
w w
4𝑝𝑅
D2n+p - D2n=  ……….(Eq.5)
w
But the diameter of nth & n+p th ring in case of air
film is
(D2n+p)air- (D2n)air= 4𝑝𝑅
(D2n+p)air− (D2n)air
 Eq.5  n+p- n=
D2 D2 w
(D2n+p)air− (D2n)air
 w = D2 − D2 ………..(Eq.6)
n+p n
 Dark spot always present at the center of
Newtons rings
• At point of contact , thickness of
air film is very small compare to
the wavelength of incident light.
• When a light ray is incident on
the upper surface of the lens, it is
reflected as well as refracted.
• When the refracted ray strikes
the glass sheet, it undergoes a
phase change of  on reflection ,

equal to the path difference of .
2
 Diffraction
“Bending of light across the edges of an obstacle is called as diffraction”.
OR
“It is the encroachment of light in the region of geometrical shadow of an
obstacle. ”
 Types of Diffraction
Fraunhofer Diffraction
• It was given by Joseph von Fraunhofer.
• In this type source and the screen are at infinite
distance from the obstacle.
• Point source that will emit the spherical ϴ
wavefront.
• The width of the slit of the order of
0.1mm,0.2mm so on.
• For performing Fraunhofer diffraction in
laboratory need two biconvex lenses.
• It is not practically possible to keep source and
screen at infinite distance.
 Types of Diffraction
Fraunhofer Diffraction
• Biconvex lenses convert the spherical wavefront in to
plane wavefront that strike on the slit.
• The ray will get diffracted may be upward or
downward.
• The angle shows the direction of diffracted rays. ϴ
• The diffracted rays again converged using biconvex
lens and these ray will get incident on the screen at
point P.
• At point see the resultant, it may be brightness or
darkness depend on the path difference of these rays.
• So over all, in Fraunhofer diffraction pattern at single
slit maximum intensity at the center the zero
intensity on either side I .e maxima and minima so on.
 Types of Diffraction
Fresnel Diffraction
• I t was given by Augustin Fresnel.
• In this type source and the screen are at
finite distance from the obstacle.
• No need of biconvex lenses. ϴ
• We can performed this experiment any
where.
• Point source emit spherical wave front, that
diffracted by slit and converged at point P.
• The diffraction pattern can be seen on the
screen.
Difference between Fraunhofer & Fresnel diffraction
Fraunhofer Diffraction
• Source and screen are at infinite distance from
slit.
• Incident wavefront on the aperture is plane.
• The diffracted wavefront is plane.
• Two biconvex lenses are required to study
diffraction in laboratory.
• Mathematical treatment is easy.
• Maximas & minimas are well defined.
Fresnel Diffraction
• Source and screen are at finite distance from
slit.
• Incident wavefront on the aperture is spherical.
• The diffracted wavefront is spherical.
• No lenses are required to study diffraction in
laboratory.
• Mathematical treatment is complicated.
• Maximas & minimas are not well defined.
Difference between Fraunhofer & Fresnel diffraction
Fraunhofer Diffraction Fresnel Diffraction
 Plane Transmission Grating
• Device is used for the production of Diffraction
pattern.
• It consist of large no. of parallel slits of same width
separated by equal no. of opaque spaces called as
rulings.
• Grating is produced by running fine lines extremely
close together on the transparent plate or glass
surface with sharp diamond point.
• In grating the scratches act as opaque spaces and
transparent portion between the scratches act as
slits.
• Each centimeter of this grating contains 5000 to 6000
lines.
• Original grating is complicated and expensive hence
replica of original grating are used.
 Diffraction through Plane Transmission Grating
Let AF be the section of plane transmission grating
held perpendicular to the plane of paper.
Let a be the width of each transparent space & b be
the width of ruling.
The distance(a+b) containing a transparent space & a
ruling called as grating element. M
Let monochromatic beam of parallel ray of
wavelength λ incident on grating.
Let ϴ be angle of diffraction. Draw a normal AM to
the diffracted ray.
𝐶𝑀 𝐶𝑀
In ∆𝐴𝐶𝑀 ⇒ Sinϴ= 𝐴𝐶 ⇒ Sinϴ=(𝑎+𝑏)

The path difference between ray A & C is CM.

∴ the path difference CM=(a+b)Sinϴ
 Diffraction through Plane Transmission Grating
For maximum intensity ,
Path difference = nλ
∴ (a+b)Sinϴ = nλ …………Eq(1)
Where n=0,1,2,3………
For n=0 ,Central bright point
For n=1, (a+b)Sinϴ = λ ,first order principle
M
For n=2, (a+b)Sinϴ = 2λ ,second order principle so on.

The wavelength of light is given by

(a+𝑏) 𝑠𝑖𝑛ϴ
λ= ………..Eq(2)
n

If N is the number of lines then

N(a+b)= 1 inch = 2.54 cm
2.54
∴ a+b = cm
N
 Numericals

• =2t cos 𝑟- r = 𝑛𝑅
2
𝐷2𝑛 𝑝−𝐷2𝑛
 = +
• 2t cos 𝑟 = (2n+1) 4𝑝𝑅
2 (D2n+p)air− (D2n)air
• 2t cos 𝑟= n w =
D2n+p − D2n
𝑟2
• t=
2𝑅 (a + b)Sinϴ = nλ
(2𝑛+1)λ𝑅
• r=
2
 Numericals
_
1) A parallel beam of monochromatic light with 2) A soap film 5 × 10 5 cm thick is viewed at an angle
wavelength of 5890A⁰ is incident on thin glass of 35⁰ to normal. Find the wave length of light in the
plate of R.I 1.52, such that angle of refraction is visible spectrum which will be absent from reflected
60⁰.Calculate the thickness of glass plate which light(µ=1.33) .
_ _
will appear dark after refraction. Given=> t= 5 × 10 5 cm , t= 5 × 10 7 m, µ=1.33, i=35.
Given=> λ=5890A⁰ , µ=1.52, r=60, t=?, n=1. A/c to Snell's law
Condition for destructive interference is Sin i Sin i
µ= ⇒ S𝑖𝑛 𝑟 =
2µt cos r= nλ Sin 𝑟 µ
Sin 35
nλ
S𝑖𝑛 𝑟 =
∴ 𝑡= 1.33
2µ cos r S𝑖𝑛 𝑟 = 0.43
𝑟 = Sin − 1(0.43)
_
1 × 5890 × 10 10 𝑟 = 25.48
𝑡= Condition for destructive interference is
2 × 1.52 × cos 60
2µt cos r= nλ
𝑡 = 3.875 × 10_7 m 2µt cos 𝑟
∴ λ =
n
 Numerical
For n=1 3) Newtons rings are observed in reflection of light of
_ _
λ1= 2 × 1.33 × 5 × 10 7 × cos(25.48) wavelength 6 × 10 5 cm .The diameter of 9th dark ring
_ is found to be 0.5 cm, find the radius of curvature of
λ1= 12.033 × 10 7m
lens and thickness of film.
λ1= 12033 A⁰ _
Given=> λ= 6 × 10 5 cm ,n= 9, d=0.5 cm ,r = 0.25 cm.
For n=2 we have 𝑟 = 𝑛λ𝑅
_
λ2= 1.33 × 5 × 10 7 × cos(25.48) r2 (0.25)2
λ2= 6016 A⁰ R= ⇒R= _
nλ 9 × 6 × 10 5
For n=3 𝑅 = 115.9 cm
λ3= 4011 A⁰
For n=4 r2 (0.25)2
λ4= 3008 A⁰ t= ⇒𝑡=
2R 2 × 115.9
The wave length λ2 and λ3 lies in the visible
_
region undergoes destructive interference. t = 2.7 × 10 4 cm
Hence λ2 and λ3 will be absent in reflected light.
 Numerical
4)In newtons ring expt. The diameter for the 15th dark 5) Find the angle of second order diffraction for the
ring was found to be 0.59 cm and that of 5th dark ring source of light hiving λ= 4000 A⁰ and grating having
was found to be 0.339 cm. if the radius of Plano 5000 lines/cm.
_
convex lens is 100 cm, calculate the wavelength of Given=> λ= 4000A⁰, λ= 4000× 10 8 cm ,n= 2, N=5000
light. lines/cm.
d15=0.59 cm d5= 0.339 cm we have, d Sinϴ = nλ
R= 100 cm λ=? 1 1
d= ⇒d=
𝐷2𝑛 + 𝑝 − 𝐷2𝑛 N 5000
λ=
4𝑝𝑅 _
𝐷 15 − 𝐷25
2 d= 2 × 10 4 cm
λ=
4(15 − 5)𝑅 _ _
2 × 10 4 Sinϴ = 2 × 4000 × 10 8
0.59 2 − 0.339 2
_
λ= Sinϴ = 4 × 10 1
4 × 10 × 100 _
ϴ = Sin−1(4 × 10 1)
_
λ=5.829 × 10 5 cm ϴ = 23.34
 Numerical
6)Determine the diffraction element of grating when 7) Find the possible order of spectra at normal
illuminated with light of wavelength of 6560A⁰.a incidence with plane transmission grating having
second order spectrum is seen at an angle of 15⁰. 18000 lines per inches for λ= 4500 A⁰ .
_
Give that Given=> λ= 4500A⁰, λ= 4500× 10 8 cm, ϴ= 90⁰
_
λ= 6560A⁰= 6560× 10 10 m
18000
ϴ= 15⁰,n= 2 N= = 7086 lines/cm
(a+b)=? 2.54
we have, (a+b) Sinϴ = nλ
(a+b) Sinϴ = nλ
(a+b) Sinϴ
nλ n=
(a+b)= λ
Sinϴ Sinϴ
n=
_
10 Nλ
2×6560×10
(a+b)=
Sin(15)
Sin(90)
n=
_ 7086 × 4500 × 10−8
(a+b)= 5.0691 × 10 6 m
n= 3.13 ≅ 3