Interference 55

Solution Given l = 5.4 ¥ 10–7 m, R1 = R2 = 1.0 m

nl 5 ¥ 5.4 ¥ 10-7 ¥ 100
Formula used is rn2 = or r5 = = 11.62 ¥ 10- 4 m
Ï1 1 ¸ 1 1
Ì + ˝ +
R R 2 2
Ó 1 2˛

or r5 = 0.1162 cm.
15 ¥ 5.4 ¥ 10- 7
Similarly r15 = = 2.012 ¥ 10–3 m = 0.2012 cm
2
\ Distance between 5th and 15th rings = r15 – r5 = 0.085 cm

E xamplE 51 A Michelson interferometer is set for the white straight fringes. When a mica sheet of thickness
0.005 cm is put in front of the fixed mirror, then in order to bring back the coloured fringes to their original
position, the movable mirror is moved by 0.0025 cm. Calculate the refractive index of mica.
Solution Given x = 2.5 ¥ 10–5 m and t = 5.0 ¥ 10–5 m
Formula used is 2x = 2(m – 1)t
where t is the thickness of mica sheet and is the refractive index
x
or m = +1
t
2.5 ¥ 10-5 m
m= + 1 = 1.5
5.0 ¥ 10-5
or m = 1.5

E xamplE 52 If a movable mirror of Michelson’s interferometer is moved through a distance 0.06 mm, 200
fringes crossed the field of view. Find the wavelength of light.
Solution Given x = 6.0 ¥ 10–5 m and N = 200 fringes
Formula used is x = Nl/2
where x is the separation of movable mirror from the fixed mirror, then 6.0 ¥ 10–5 = 200 ¥ l/2 or = 6000 Å

E xamplE 53 In Michelson’s interferometer a thin plate is introduced in the path of one of the beams and it
is found that 50 band crosses the line of observation. If the wavelength of light used is 5896 Å and m = 1.4,
determine the thickness of the plate.
Solution Given n = 50, l = 5896 ¥ 10–10 m and m = 1.4
Formula used is 2(m – 1) t = nl
nl 50 ¥ 5896 ¥ 10-10
or = =
2( m - 1) 2(1.4 - 1)
t = 3.68 ¥ 10–5 m

E xamplE 54 Calculate the distance between successive positions of the movable mirror of Michelson’s
interferometer giving best fringes in case of a sodium source having wavelengths 5896 Å and 5890 Å. What
will be the change in path difference between two successive reappearances of the interference pattern?
Solution Given l1 = 5.896 m and 10–7l2 = 5.89 ¥ 10–7 m
l1l2
Formula used is Dl = (l1 - l2 ) =
2x