Interference 37

from a standard quartz gauge of 1 m length, it is possible to measure distances up to 864 m by repeated
multiplication. Baselines thus established are used to calibrate geodetic distance measurement equipments.
This leads to a metrologically traceable scale for geodetic networks measured by these instruments. More
modern geodetic applications of laser interferometry are in calibrating the divisions on levelling staffs
and in monitoring the free fall of a reflective prism within a ballistic or absolute gravimeter. This allows
determination of gravity, i.e., the acceleration of free fall, directly from the physical definition at a few parts
in a billion accuracy.

1.13.7 Interference Lithography

This is a technique for patterning regular arrays of fine features, without the use of complex optical systems
or photo marks. The basic principle of this is the same as interferometry. An interference pattern between two
or more coherent light waves is set up and recorded in a recording layer. This interference pattern consists of
a periodic series of fringes of representing intensity maxima and minima. The benefit of using interference
lithography is the quick generation of dense features over a wide area without loss of focus.

s UMMARY
We summarise the main outcome of the chapter as follows:
✦ We first discussed the phenomenon of interference and then explained it based on Young’s double slits
experiment.
✦ Concepts of wavefront and secondary wavelets were discussed based on Huygens’ principle. Then
secondary wavefront was introduced as the surface touching the secondary wavelets tangentially in the
forward direction at any given time.
✦ Phase difference and path difference between the two waves play a key role for obtaining constructive
or destructive interference. Therefore, phase and path differences were explained in detail together with
their relation.
✦ For obtaining sustained interference pattern, the two sources should be coherent. So the concept of
coherence, both temporal and spatial, was introduced and coherence time and coherence length were
talked about.
✦ A short description of a technique for producing coherent light from incoherent sources was given.
✦ Analytical treatment of the interference was discussed where conditions were obtained for the
constructive and destructive interferences.
✦ When a light wave gets reflected from a surface, a phase change may take place. Therefore, condition
of relative phase shift was explained.
✦ Superposition was extended for n number of waves and it was observed that the resultant amplitude
increases in proportion with n in length as n gets increased.
✦ Interfering waves can be produced either by division of wavefront or by division of amplitude.
Therefore, the details of interference were discussed based on these two methods.
✦ Fresnel’s biprism, which is used to create two virtual coherent sources, was discussed in detail for
obtaining interference pattern and the related conditions for dark and bright fringes.