1

WAVE OPTICS
1.

Interference: - condition for interference,

Wave must be coherent
Coherent Wave:- two waves are said to be coherent if their phase difference is
independent of time.
i.e

= 0 or, const.

For wave to be coherent.

(i) n1 = n2 (essentially)
(ii) The equality of amplitude is not essentially required i.e
a1 = a2

a1 a2

or

Method of production of coherent wave:

Wave front: - The locus of vibrating particle in same phase is called wave front.
Waves are always for to its wave front i.e phase difference between the waves and wave
front = /2

Produce by two methods: (i)

By the division of amplitude or intensity:

(ii)

By the division of wave front (syllabus)

Division of amplitude or intensity.

Coherent
Wave

eg:-

This film

experiment Michelson interferometer

Febry perot interferometer

Newtons ring experiment
(ii)

Entres time = t

Division of wave front:-

N1

S1

S
W

S2

Screen

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eg: -

Youngs double slit experiment

By prism expt.
Quinekes tube expt in acoustics.

{2}

Waves must be collinear or, nearly collinear (i.e dirn same / opposite)

{3}

NO. of interfering waves must be few i.e slit must be narrow.

{4}

Two waves must be in the same stat of polarisation.

Definition: The vibration in intensity with respect to position (dI/dx) due to superposition of two
coherent waves traveling in same direction in same dirn in space is called space
interference.
i.e For Imax constructive interference also for I min distractive interference, dlL the
waves (Mechanical a non mechanical) follow the law of interference expt shack waves
exhibit interference.

Shock wave: Sound wave associated with super sonic bodies (Vs > V sound) are called shock waves.
The variation in intensity of the waves associated with super sonic bodies are so high and
so rapid that human being cant match such a vibration, hence the effect of sound is
shocking and thats why the wave is called shock wave.
The egen reprinting the shock wave is quadratic in nature, hence sometime it is also
knows as quadratic wave.
The wave front of shack wave is conical.
Vt
V

Vs

Vt

Vst

Fig:-

Wave front of shock wave: here sin = vt/vst = v/vs

v
1
s M = match number (unit of velocity of vs)
sin v
i.e

vs > v

vs = velocity of super sonic waves, unit M.

Theory of interference
Let the two waves are represented by
y2 = a1 sinwt
y2 = a2 sin(wt + )

y = y 1 + y2
= a1 sin wt + a2 sin wt cos + a2 cos wt sin
= sin wt {a1 + a2 cos} + cos wt (a2 sin)

Let

a1 + a2 cos = A cos (i)

a2 sin = A sin

(ii)

y = A sin (wt + )

i.e egen of resultant wave.

Now, squaring (i) & (ii) and adding we get
A2 = a12 a 22 2a1a2 cos
I A2

also, as

I = KA2

i.e

KA 2 Ka12 Ka 22

I = I1 + I2 + 2 I1 I 2 cos

K 2 a1a 2 cos

Vector diagram
a2 sin

a2

a1
A cos

(a)

(b)

A sin

a2 cos

Condition of constructive interference

a = 2n

i.e

cos = cos 2n

i.e

phase difference = even multiple of

i.e

2
x 2n or x n

i.e

integral multiple of

(B)

Condition of distractive interference

i.e I = minn i.e cos = 1 = cos (2n + 1)
or,

= (2n + 1)

(A)

i.e phase difference is odd multiple of

also
or,

2
Ax ( 2n 1)

Ax = (2n 1) /2

(A)

(B)

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If

a1 = a2 = a

then I max = 4I = 4a2

(i)

In interference energy in always conserved i.e total energy in the medium remains
constant but its redistributed. The energy shifts from the position of minima to maxima.

(ii)

The phase of resultant wave in interference depends an the position as well as time i.e
phase f(x,t)

(iii)

Amplitude f(x) i.e the amplitude of resultant wave is only the function of position.

EXPERIMENTS: -

(i)

Youngs double slit experiment;

As,

X
P

sin = n/d
x = d sin

As

S1 & S2 very close

S1

n = very small

i.e = very small

N
Po

i.e OPoP tan = y/D

S2

90o

i.e x = d tan = d sin = d, y/D

or,

dy
x
D

for maxima, x = n or,

or

yn

n D
d

d
n
D

n = 0, 1, 2

as n = 0 yo = 0

Here n represents the order of the bright fringe.

(n 1)D
d

also

y n 1

fringe width

= y n + 1 yn
= D/d

For minima,
x = (2n + 1) /2
or,

y d/D = (2n + 1) /2

or,

y = (2n + 1) D/2d

or,

yn = (2n + 1) D/2d

i.e distance of nth dark fringe also

y n + 1 = (2n + 3) D/2d

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or,

fringe width = y n +1 yn = D/d

i.e

= = D/d

DISCUSSION: - Results:

(i)

Used for the measurement of the wave length of the light used.
[If path diff = 0 (location of sentral fringe]

(ii)

All the bright and dark fringes are of equal length (width)

(iii)

Fringe width is independent of the distance between the sourve and slit.

(iv)

Fringe width = D/d

i.e

(i)

(ii)

1/d

(iii)

d I mp

(a) If the source in white light

vR

vR

S
vR

vR

R
V

v r w

V2 byy

white (i.e V R
Po

i.e central fringe will be bright

(b) The violet will be nearest to the central fringe where as red farthest of the C.F.
Thus we get spectrum and hence dispersion due to interference of waves (composite /
polychromatic) will obtained.
(c) Due to interference of composite light blue appears nearest to the C.F and red farthest
to the C.F why.
Explanation: - Intensity of violet is very small due to larger scattering and also sensitivity
of retina for violet color is very poor therefore visibility of violet color is very poor
Is appearance of indigo and blue are very similar, thus blue appears nearest to the central
fringe (C.F).
(v)

If the whole experiment is emerge into water

D = const, d - cos but decreases i.e decreases i.e fringe shrinks
air = a D/d
w

or,

water = a/w = a

or,

a
3
w a / w a
a
4

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= 75% of a
i.e

shrinks = 25%

i.e fringe in water shrinks by 25% of the width of air.

(vi)

If one of the slit is blocked in YDSE then, the intensity at the point of maxima (4I) is
reduced by 75% or reduced to 25%
The intensity at the location of minima is increased from O to I. i.e the screen is
illuminated uniformly.

(vii)

If the two coherent sources be replaced by two incoherent sources of same intensity the
intensity at the point of maxima is reduced by or reduced to 50% and intensity at the
point of minima is increased by 2I.

(viii)

Introducing of mica sheet

Let t be the thickness of mica, whose refractive index is , then the path of the 2nd
wave = S2P (in air)
As, = D/d thus the fringe width remains uncharged due to introducing of mica but
there will be shift in central fringe due to introducing of mica.
j,t

S1

Po

S2

Path of the first wave = (S1P t) air t tmica

= S1P t + t
i.e path difference between the two wave
= S2P S1P + t t
For maxima,
n = S2P S1P + t t
or,

S2P S1P = n + t( 1)
yD
n t ( 1)
D

or,

yn = n D/d + t( 1) D/d

(i)

also,

y n + 1 = (n + 1 ) D/d + t( 1) D/d

(ii)

fringe width (ii) (i)

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= y n + 1 yn = D/d

Calculation for fringe shift: Without mica

with mica
y n = nD/d + t( 1) D/d

y n = nD/d

y0 = t ( 1)D/d

If n = o, y n = O, y0 = O
y1 = D/d

If n = 1

y1 = D/d + t( 1)D/d

Thus the entire fringe system

Shifts towards the beam in which mica has been inserted.
Fringe shift,
y = t ( 1) D/d
y t, , 1/ ,
or,
*

t ( 1)

The no of fringes shifted from central point of air due to introducing of mica is given by
n

D 1/d

As

t ( 1)

y = 1/

i.e shift of violet fringe is maximum and that of the red is minimum.
Note: If the both slits have mica in front of it. then.
Paths of the waves.
S1P air = (S1P t1 + 1t1) mica + air
also,

S2P air = (S2P t2 + 2t2) mica + air

path difference.
= S2P t2 + 2t2 (S1P t1 + 1t1)
= S2P t2 + 2t2 S1P + t1 t11
= (S2P S1P) + (t1 t2) + (2t2 1t1)
For maxima
n = (S2P S1P) + (t1 t2) + (2t2 t11)
or, S2P S1P = n + (t2 t1) + (t11 t22)
or, y

d
n + (t2 t1) + 1t1 2t2
D

or, yn = {n + (t2 t1) + (1t1 2t2)} D/d

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also, y n+1 {(n + 1) + (t2 t1) + (1t1 2t2)} D/d
= y n+1 yn = D/d
Again = unchanged, but fringe shift
y = {t2 t1) + (1t1 2t2)} D/d
y =
*

{t 2 t1 ) ( 1t1 2 t 2 )}

The no. of shifted fringe

n=

(t 2 t1 ) ( 1t1 2 t 2 )

When t1 = t2 but 1 2

Case I.
i.e

y = (1 t2)t D/d

If

2 > 1

i.e

y = ve

shifted below.

If

2 < 1

i.e

y = +ve

shifted upper.

When, 1 = 2

Case II.

but t1 t2

y = (t1 t2) ( 1) D/d

If

t1 < t2

Case III.

If

shifted below.

1 = 2 & t1 = t2

y = o,

y = ve

i.e

i.e

no shift.

(ii) Bi prism experiment: Bi prism = the base to base combination of two very thin prism.

S1

d/2

Po

S2

a
t

All the arranging data is same

= D/d (from Y.D.S.E)

i.e

= (a + b) / d
Calculation for d,
(i)

Deviation method: - If be the deviation in the beam then tan = d/2a

as, prism = thin i.e = small tan =
= d/2a
or,

d = 2a = 2a ( 1)

then

p = (1 + b/a) / 2 ( 1)

Diffraction from M hr

( a b)
2a ( 1)

i.e due to movement of the some fringe width charges but in Y.D.S.E fringe width is
independent of the motion of the source.
(ii)

Displacement method.
S2

S1

S2
d

Po
S1
S2

S1

from theorem (in uns)

Problems

d1d 2

( a b)
d1 d 2

d1

d2

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Q. 1 The vertical antina S1 and S2 emit coherent waves of same amplitude and of same =
6000 Ao the antina are separated by a distance 3000 Ao. Discuss the intensity pattern
along
(a) The line joining S1 and S2.
(b) for bisector of line S1S2.
If (i) S1 and S2 are in phase. (ii) S1 and S2 out of phase.
Identify the forbidden gone and explain.
Sol.

Here S1 and S2 will be will be forbidden gone.

S1

d = 3000 Ao
S

2
Explanation:
At any point between S 1 and S2 the waves from two antina travailing in
opposite direction superimpose to produce stationary wave, whose condition of Mas m and
Minm different to that of interference.

Now: (i) S1 and S2 in phase

i.e initial phase difference = o
(a)

S1

along S1 S2

d = 3000 Ao

x = / S1P S2P / = 3000 A

S2

= /2

phase diff (final) =

2

=
Total phase diffn = initial + final
=0+=
i.e

distractive interference

i.e intensity = 0 thus the line joining S1 and S2 beyond the forbidden gone is completely a
dark gone. (silence gone in sound)
(b)

S1 and S2
=

as

x = 0 path diff = 0

phase diff final = 0

toal phase diff = 0

S1
O

S2

Interference constructive 1f = 4 I initial i.e at all point there is uniformally illumination

A light. The line 1er to S1 and S2 is bright gone
i.e we cont discuss the intensity pattern

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i.e an obserbes in vertical circular motion round the antina observes maxima and minima
alternately twice sound.
(ii) S1 and S2 out of phase.
Q. 2 Two waves have intensity ratio 16 : 9 find the ratio of Max m to Minm intensity to the
interference.
I
I1 16

max 49 : 1
I2
9
I min

Q. 3 In bi-prism experiment fringe of width = 0.185 103 m are observed at a distance of D

= 1m from the slit image of the coherent sources is this produce at the same distance from
the slit by placing a convex lens at 0.3m from the slit. The image amfoued to be separated
by 0.7 102m calculate the wave length of light used.

0.3 m
S1

S2

For leus

u = 0.3 m

i.e

v = 0.7 m

Magnification =

S21
7 102 m
S11

0.7 S12 S 21

0.3 S1 S 2

S1 S2 = d = 3 103 m
d=

1.85 106 3 103 =

or,

555 109 =

or,

5550 Ao

Q. 4 Bi-prism experiment fringes are produced with the help of sodium light of = 5893 Ao.
Angle of the bi-prism is 179.5o and ref-index 1.5. If the dist. between slit and bi-prism is
0.4 m and the distance between bi-prism and screen is 0.06m. Find the fringe width.
Find the dist. between 10th bright and 10th dark fringes licing on the opposite side from
the central bright fringe.
Sol.

Given,

= 5893 Ao

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= 179.5 A =

180 179.5 1
.
2
4

= 1.5

a = 0.4 m
D = 1m.
b = 0.6 m

D
D

d
2a ( 1)

5893 10 10
22
1
2 .4 .5

7 180 4

= 5.376 104 m

Distance between 10th bright and dark fringes licing oppositely from C.F
= 10 + 9.5 = 19.5
Q. 5 A glass plate 1.2 106 m thick is placed in the path of one of interfering beam is Y.D.S.F.
If = 600 Ao the central bond shifts a distance equal to a bond width then find the vefindex of glass plate.
Sol.

Given,
t = 1.2 106 m
= 600 Ao
y =
y = t ( 1) D/d
or,

D
t ( 1) D / d
d

or,

1 = 600 1010 / 1.2 107

or,

1 = 50 103

= 1.5 ans

Q. 6 A beam of light having 1 = 6500 Ao 2 = 5200 Ao is used to obtained interference fringes

in Y.D.S.F (a) Find the distance of third bright fringe from the central max m for 1 (b)
What is the least distance from the central maxima. Where the bright fringes due to both
wave length coincides. Given

Sol.

d = 2 mm

2 103 m

O = 120 cm

120 102 m

(a) ans.

1. 1st mm.

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(b) Let y be the maxm dist. where the mth bright fringe of 1 and nth bright fringe of 2
co-insides
i.e

y = m 1 = n 2

or,

1 n 6500 5

2 m 5200 4

i.e

m=4 &

n=5

i.e fourth bright fringe of 1 and fifth of 2 coincides

i.e

y = m 1
y 4
y

1.17
3

4.68
1.56mm ans.
3

Q. 7 In Y.D.S.E a point source is slightly off the central axis as shown in the figure
(a) Find the nature and order of the interference at point P
(b) Find the nature and order of interference at point O.
(c) Where should we placed a film of ref-index is and what should be its thickness. Such
that a maxm of zero-order is placed at O slit separation 10 mm.
Sol.

= 5000 Ao

S1
S

P
y = 5 mm

10mm (1mm

O
S2

1m

2m

From figure total path diff = n1 + n2

10 sin + 10 sin = n

n = 10 (tan + tan ) as , = small

1mm 5mm
10

2m
1m
2
1
10

mm
1000 2000

= 0.035 mm
(a)

At P for maxima
n = n

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x
35 10 3
n

m
5000 10 10 10 3

or,

n = 70 i.e nature construct order of fringe = 70.

(b)

At point O, path diff = n,

10

as

1
0.01mm
1000

n, = n
n

0.01 1 10 2 mm

5000 5000 10 7

1
10 2 = 20 i,e constructive fringe 7 order 20.
5

(c)
As the fringe has been shifted downward because the lower path is greater then
upper path by MS2 = dyo/Do hence the film should be placed in front of the slit S1.
Let t be the thickness of the film. To get the zero order fringe at O, the required
fringe shift
= 20
D
t ( 1)
d

as

20

20 = t( 1)/

or,

t = 1 104 / 5

D t ( 1)

= 0.20 104
= 20 m
Q. 8 In modified youngs experiment shown in the fig, the space between glass lens and screen
is field with water.
(a) Find the distance between lens and the screen if the focal length of the lense in dir is
80 cm (b) Find the position of 4th bright fringe if 6000 Ao is used (c) If the lens and
water is removed from appratus, the 2nd maxima is observed at the position obtained in
case 6, then find the distance between screen and slit
w = 4

air
1 cm

= 6000A

= 1.5
160 cm

(a)

fo = 80 cm

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fw = 80 3/ 4 = 60 cm
1

for air, fa ( 1)(2 / R)

1
1/ R
80

R = 80 cm

when lens separates the two media.

3
2
1 / a 2 1 3
v
R1
R2
as

(R1 = R2) and u = , v = f

3 2 4 3 2

f
R
R

4
5 4/3 3/ 2

3f
R
R

or

f = 160 cm.

Thus the distance between lense and screen fro real image = 160 cm.
(b)

For fourth fringe = 6000 Ao

y4 = 4 w D/d =

3 4 6000 10 10 1.6
4 10 2

= 288 m
Now
(c)

y 2 288

or,

D'

or,

D = 2.4 m.

2 a.D'
10 2

288 10 6 10 2
2 6 10 7

Q. 9 If a mica sheet of = 1.5 and t = 5 107 m is placed in the path of one of the beam in
Y.D.S.F using = 5000 Ao the central fringe will remain bright. (True / False)
Sol.

x = t ( 1)
= 5 107 .5
= 25 106 m = 5000/2 A = /2
i.e dark fringe
i.e false

Q. 10 In Y.D.S.F the intensity of central fringe at p is Io , when one slit width is reduced to half,
the intensity at p will become

16

Sol.

(i) Io/2

(ii) Io/4

Io = 4a2

or,

(iii) 9/16 Io
a

(iv) 3/4 Io

Io / 2

when one slit width is reduced to half

a1

Io / 2

, a2 I o / 4

a max = (a1 + a2)2

Io Io
I
aI
2 o 1 o
4 16
8
16
I max = 9/16 Io .

Q. 11 In Y.D.S.E the slit S 1 is placed in a medium of ref-index n 1 above ref line XX and
S2 lies in the medium of ref index n 2 below line XX . If n1 = 1.3 n2 = 1.5, S1 P = 1m,
where P is the point on the screen at which the central maxm is obtained then S2 P is
(a) 1m
Sol.

(b) 15/13 m

(c) 13/15 m

for C.M at P. path diff = 0 in air,

S1

i.e n1 . S1 P = n2 . S2 P

1.3 S1 P = n2 . S2 P

S2 P = 13/15 S1 P

S2

13
m
15

(d)
n1 = 1.3

X1
n2 = 1.5

Q. 12 A light of = 0.7 m falls normally on the base of a bi-prism ( = 1.52) with refracting
angle 5o just behind the prism a plane u 1 plate of ref index 1.52 with space between
them filled up with a liquid (1 = 1.50) is placed, find the width of the fringe formed on
the screen placed behind the system.
S1
S2
a
b

Sol.
2.5o
i=0 r=0

S1

i
i

r1 =

S2

i=0 r=0
2.5o
a

i
i
r r

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As,

r + r1 =
r1 =

using Cnells Law at bi-prism liquid surface

sin = 1 sin I
as

= small
= 1 I

(i)

at liquid plate surface

1 (i ) = sin r

1 (1 ) = r

(ii)

at plate air surface

sin r = r

r = i1

(iii)

in bi-prism experiment

( b)
2a ( 1)

( a b)
2 a

( a b)
2ai1

(from figure)

= (a + b) / 2a(r)
= (a + b) / 2a {1 (i )}
= (a + b) / 2a (1 i 1 )
= (a + b) / 2a ( 1 )
= (a + b) / 2a ( 1)
= /2 ( 1 + b/a / 1)
as

a = i.e source at infinity then b/a = 0

or,

= 2 (1/ 1)

or,

= .7 106 /2(.02)

5
180

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= 0.2 mm