INTERFERENCE

Coherence: “The phenomenon in which, the waves (light rays) emanated from a
monochromatic source (sources) maintains zero or constant phase relation between emitted
waves” is known as coherence.

Coherent sources: “Two sources are said to be coherent if they emit light waves of the same
frequency, nearly the same amplitude and are always in phase with each other”.

In actual practice, two independent monochromatic sources can’t act as coherent sources.

Reason: In a conventional light sources (Sodium lamp, Bulb etc) light comes from a large
number of independent atoms, each atom emits light for about 10-9 sec, i.e., light emitted by an
atom is essentially a pulse lasting for only 10-9 sec.

Even if the atoms were emitting under similar conditions, waves from different atoms
would differ in their initial phases. Therefore, the two sources may emit light waves of largely
different amplitude and wavelength and the phase difference between the two may change with
time. Therefore, for experimental purposes, two virtual sources formed from a single source can
act as coherent sources.

Ex: 1) Two closely spaced pin holes which are illuminated by a single monochromatic
light source. 2) A monochromatic source and its image in a mirror (or glass plate)

DIVISION OF AMPLITUDE AND WAVE FRONT:

Division of Amplitude: This is a method used to get coherent sources. In which, the amplitude
of the incident beam is divided into two or more parts either by partial reflection or refraction.

Ex:1) Reflected and Refracted rays in thin films. 2) Newton’s Rings.etc.

Division of Wave front: This is another method used to obtain coherent sources, in which, the
wave front is divided, which is originating from a common sources, by employing mirrors, bi
prisms or lenses.

Ex: 1) Fresnel Biprism, 2) Lasers, 3) Young’s double slit experiment.

INTERFERENCE IN THIN FILMS

Let a plane wavefront be allowed to incident on a thin film of uniform thickness‘t’ and
refractive index µ. The plane wave front is partly reflected at the upper surface of the film and
partly transmitted into the film.

Case-1: INTERFERENCE DUE TO REFLECTED LIGHT:

Let PQ and RS be the two surfaces of a transparent film of uniform thickness‘t’ and
refractive index µ. Let a ray (from monochromatic source) AB be incident on its upper surface.
This ray is partly reflected along BR and refracted along BC. After one internal reflection at ‘C’,
we obtain the ray CD. After refraction at ‘D’, the ray finally emerges out along DR 1 in air. DR1
will be parallel to BR. These two rays DR 1 & BR interfere each other and produces interference
pattern on screen.

The optical path difference between two reflected

rays BR & DR1 is

δ = Path traversed by ray in film –

Path in air

δ= µ(BC+CD)-BE -----(1)

CK t
From figure, BC=CD= = …… (2)
cos r cos r

sin r sin r
¿ ∆ BDE BE=BD sin i=( BK + KD ) sin i=2 t tanr sin i=2 t sin i X
cos r sin r

sin2 r sin i sin2 r sin 2 r

BE=2 t =2t μ=2 μt …… (3)
cos r sin r cos r cos r

Substituting equ-(2) and (3) in equ-(1), we get,

δ= 2µtCos r…. (4)

But, when a ray reflected at a surface backed by a denser medium suffers and abrupt phase
change of π which is equivalent to a path difference λ/2.

Therefore, the effective path difference between two reflected rays is

δ= 2µtCos r ± λ/2 ….(5)

Condition for Bright fringe or Maxima(Constructive interference):

If the effective path difference between reflected rays becomes n λ, then a maxima occurs.

Therefore, from equ-(5)

 2µtCos r ± λ/2 = n λ

2µtCos r = (2n±1) λ/2

When this condition is fulfilled, the film will appear bright.

Condition for Dark Fringe or Minima (Destructive interference):

If the effective path difference between reflected rays becomes (2n±1) λ/2, then a minima
occurs. 2µt Cos r ± λ/2 = (2n±1) λ/2

2µt Cos r = nλ

When this condition is fulfilled, the film will appear dark.

Case-2: INTERFERENCE DUE TO TRANSMITTED LIGHT:

Let PQ and RS be the two surfaces of a transparent film of uniform thickness‘t’ and refractive
index µ. Let a ray (from monochromatic source) AB be incident on its upper surface. This ray is
partly reflected along BR and refracted along BC. The BC ray at C is partly reflected as CD and
partly transmitted to air as CT. Another transmitted ray from P is PT 1. These two CT and PT1
parallel rays interfere each other.

The optical path difference between two transmitted

rays CT & PT1 is

δ = Path traversed by ray in film – Path in air

δ= µ(CD+DP)-CN -----(1)

DJ t
From figure, CD=DP= = …….. (2)
cos r cos r

sin r sin r
¿ ∆ CPN CN =CPsin i=( CJ + JP ) sini=2t tan r sin i=2t sin i X
cos r sin r

sin 2 r sin i sin2 r sin 2 r

CN =2 t =2t μ=2 μt …… (3)
cos r sin r cos r cos r

Substituting equ-(2) and (3) in equ-(1), we get,

δ= 2µtCos r…. (4)

here, it should be remembered that inside the film, reflection at different points takes place at the
surface backed by rarer medium, thus, no abrupt change in phase take place.

Therefore, the effective path difference between two reflected rays is

 δ= 2µtCos r ….(5)

Condition for Bright fringe or Maxima(Constructive interference):

If the effective path difference between reflected rays becomes n λ, then a maxima occurs.

Therefore, from equ-(5) 2µtCos r = n λ

When this condition is fulfilled, the film will appear bright.

Condition for Dark Fringe or Minima (Destructive interference):

If the effective path difference between reflected rays becomes (2n±1) λ/2, then a minima
occurs. 2µt Cos r = (2n±1) λ/2

When this condition is fulfilled, the film will appear dark.

Newton’s Rings: When a Plano-convex lens of long focal length is placed on a plane glass plate,
a thin film of air is enclosed between the lower surface of the lens and the upper surface of the
plate. The thickness of the air film is very small at the point of contact and gradually increases
from the centre outwards. The fringes produced with monochromatic light are circular. The
fringes are concentric circles, uniform in thickness and with the point of contact as the centre.
When viewed with white light, the fringes are colored. With monochromatic light, bright and
dark circular fringes are produced in the air film.

S is a source of monochromatic light

at the focus of the lens L1. A
horizontal beam of light falls on the
glass plate B at 450. The glass plate B
reflects a part of the incident light
towards the air film enclosed by the
lens L and the plane galss plate G. The
reflected bean from the air film is
viewed with a microscope.

Interference takes place between the light reflected from the lower surface of the lens and the
upper surface of the glass plate G. Hence, the dark and bright circular fringes pattern is
produced.
Let PYQ be the lens placed on a glass plate G. The curved surface is part of sphere of radius R
with the centre at C. Let R be the radius of curvature and r be the radius of Newton’s ring
corresponding to the constant film thickness t.

The path difference between two reflected rays is δ = 2t ….(1)

From fig, (XS)(SY) = (PS)(SQ)

(2R-t) t = r2

2Rt – t2 = r2

As t is very small, t2 is neglected. Therefore, 2Rt = r2

t = r2 /2R…..(2)

Substituting equ-2 in equ-1, δ = r2 /R …..(3)

But, when a ray reflected at a surface backed by a denser medium suffers and abrupt phase
change of π which is equivalent to a path difference λ/2.

Therefore, Total path difference is δ = r2 /R + λ/2…..(4)

Case-i: Condition for bright fringe (constructive interference):

When the path difference is equal to nλ , then a bright ring is formed.

From equ-(4), r2 /R + λ/2 = nλ

r2 /R = nλ - λ/2

r2 = (nλ - λ/2)R= (2n – 1)R λ/2 ….(5)

Equation –(5) represents radius of nth bright ring.

The diameter of nth bright ring is,

D2/4 = (2n – 1)R λ/2

D2 = 2(2n – 1)R λ

D = (2(2n – 1)R λ)1/2

Therefore, for a given R and λ the diameter of the ring D α (2n – 1)1/2

i.e. the diameters of the bright rings are proportional to the square roots of odd natural numbers
as (2n-1) is an odd number.
Similarly for dark ring

Path difference is , r2 /R + λ/2 = (2n +1) λ/2

r2 = nR λ

The diameter of nth ring is D2/4 = n R λ

D2 = 4 n R λ

D = (4 n R λ)1/2

Thus, the diameters of dark rings are proportional to the square roots of natural numbers.

Additional information regarding Newton’s Rings: Now consider the phase difference
due to reflections. At the upper surface, the ray reflects going from glass towards air –
high n to low n – so the phase change is zero, as indicated on the sketch. At the lower
surface, the ray reflects going from air towards glass – low n to high – so the phase
change is π. So, with small phase change due to path length but a π phase change due
to the two reflections, these two rays are about π radians or half of one cycle out of
phase, which gives destructive interference. Consequence: in this region close to the
point of contact, there is destructive interference in reflection.

Next consider the middle set of rays in the sketch. Here the thickness is t = λ/4, so the
path difference is 2t = λ/2. This gives a phase difference of π. Add this to the π from
the reflections and the phase difference is 2π – the two rays are out of phase by one
complete cycle. So, provided the coherence length is sufficiently long, these rays
give constructive interference in reflection.

Finally, the rays in the sketch at left are for an air film thickness of t = λ/2, so the path
difference is 2t = λ. This gives a phase difference of 2π. Add this to the π from the
reflections and the phase difference is 3π – the two rays are out of phase by one and a
half complete cycles. This time we have destructive interference in reflection. And
so on: our thin film has a varying thickness, so we have different interference
conditions at different thicknesses. This leads to the alternating rings of constructive
interference (bright rings) and destructive interference (dark), as shown in the
photograph.
Problem-1:

1. A parallel beam of light ( λ = 5890 A o ) is incident on a thin glass plate of refractive index 1.5,
such that the angle of refraction in to the plate is 60o. Calculate the smallest thickness of the glass
plate which will appear dark by reflection.

2. Find the thickness of the soap film of refractive index 1.33 which gives constructive second
order interference of reflected red light of wavelength 700 micro meters.

3. A drop volume 0.2cc is dropped on a surface of a tank of water of area 1 sq.m. The film
spreads uniformly over the whole surface and white light which is incident normally, is observed
through a spectrometer. The spectrum is seen to contain one dark band whose centre ha
wavelength 5.5 x 10-5 cm in air. Find the refractive index of oil.(Ans: 1.375)

4. When light falls normally on a film of soapy water whose thickness is 5 x 10 -5 cm and
refractive index is 1.33. Which wavelength in the visible region will be reflected most strongly?

5. Newton’s rings are formed in reflected light of wavelength 6000A 0 with liquid between the
plane and curved surfaces. If the diameter of 6th bright ring is 3.1mm and the radius of curvature
of the curved surface is 100 cm, calculate the refractive index of the liquid.

6. In a Newton’s ring experiment, the diameter of the 5 th ring was 0.3cm and the diameter of 25 th
ring was 0.8cm. If the radius of curvature of the plano-convex lens is 100cm, find the
wavelength of light used.

7. The diameter of the 9th dark ring in Newton’s rings experiment is 0.28cm. What is the
diameter of the 16th dark ring? Given the wavelength of light used is 6000A0. Calculate the radius
of curvature of the lens used.

8. In Newton’s ring experiment, the diameter of the 4th and 12th dark rings are 0.4cm and 0.7cm
respectively. Find the diameter of 20th dark ring.

9. The diameter of the 10th bright ring in Newton’s ring set up changes from 1.4 to 1.27 cm as a
liquid is introduced between the lens and the glass plate. Find the refractive index of the liquid?

10. Newton’s rings formed by sodium light between a flat glass plate and a convex lens are
viewed normally. What will be the order of the dark ring which will have double the diameter of
that of 40th dark ring?

11. Light containing two wavelengths λ1, and λ2 falls normally on a plano-convex lens of radius
of curvature R resting on a glass plate. If the nth dark ring due to λ 1 coincides with the (n+1)th
dark ring due to λ2 , calculate the radius of nth dark ring.
VSAQ:

1. Why colours are not observed in reflected light from a thick film?

2. Why does an excessively thin film appear to be dark in the reflected light?

3. What happens to the ring system if a plane polished mirror is used instead of a glass plate in
Newton’s ring arrangement?

4. Why is the central spot in Newton’s rings seen in reflected light dark? Discuss the appearance
of Newton’s rings in transmitted light.

5. Why do you require a convex lens of large radius of curvature in Newton’s rings experiment?

6. How is the ring system when white light is used in Newton’s rings experiment?

7. What will happen if a little water is introduced between the lens and the glass plate of
Newton’s ring experiment?

8. Define interference.

9. Define coherent waves or coherent sources.

10. Can two independent monochromatic light sources be coherent?

11. State the conditions for formation of bright and dark interference fringes.

12. Extremely thin film appears dark when viewed under monochromatic/white light. Why?

13. Why do soap bubbles appear multicolored when viewed under sun light?