Wave Optics
Wave Optics
WAVE OPTICS
CONTENTS
EXERCISE - I
EXERCISE - II
EXERCISE - III
ANSWER KEY
KEY CONCEPT
1. If two coherent waves with intensity I1 and I2 are superimposed with a phase difference of , the resulting
wave intensity is
I = I1 + I2 + 2 I1I 2 cos
(i) For maxima, optical path difference = n [optical path = (geometrical path)]
1 1
(ii) For minima, optical path difference = (n – ) or (n + )
2 2
2
(iii) Phase difference = (optical path difference)
2. The phase difference between two waves at a point will depend upon
(i) the difference in path lengths of two waves from their respective sources.( geometrical path difference)
(ii) the refractive index of the medium (media)
(iii) phase difference at source (if any).
(iv) In case, the waves suffer reflection, the reflected wave differs in phase by with respect to the incident
wave if the incidence occurs in rarer medium. There would be no phase difference if incidence occures
in denser medium.
(i) If d << D
x = S2P – S1P = d sin
If << d then sin tan as when P is close to D so is small.
dy
x =
D
dy
(ii) For maxima = n
D
D 2 D
or y = 0, ± ,± ,±
d d
dy
(iii) For minima = [n + (1/2)]
D
D 3D
or y = ± ,± , ±, so on
2d 2d
D
(iv) Fringe width, =
d
When a film of thickness 't' and refractive index '' is introduced in the path of one of the source's of
light, then fringe shift occurs as the optical path difference changes.
Optical path difference at P.
x = S2P – [S1P + t – t]
= S2P – S1P ( – 1) t = y. (d/D) – (– 1)t
D( 1) t
The fringe shift is given by y =
d
5. Intensity Variation on Screen
Q.1 In a Young's double slit experiment for interference of light, the slits are 0.2 cm apart and are illuminated
by yellow light ( = 600 nm). What would be the fringe width on a screen placed 1 m from the plane of
slits if the whole system is immersed in water of index 4/3?
Q.2 In Young’s double slit experiment, 12 fringes are observed to be formed in a certain segment of the
screen when light of wavelength 600 nm is used. If the wavelength of the light is changed to 400 nm, find
the number of fringes observed in the same segment.
Q.3 In the ideal double slit experiment, when a glass plate (refractive index 1.5) of thickness t is introduced
in the path of one of the interfering beams (wavelength ), the intensity at the position where the central
maximum occurred previously remains unchanged. find the minimum thickness of the glass plate.
Q.4 One slit of a double slit experiment is covered by a thin glass plate of refractive index 1.4 and the other
by a thin glass plate of refractive index 1.7. The point on the screen, where central bright fringe was
formed before the introduction of the glass sheets, is now occupied by the 5th bright fringe. Assuming
that both the glass plates have same thickness and wavelength of light used is 4800 Å, find their thickness.
Q.5 Three identical monochromatic points sources of light emit light of wavelength coherently and in phase
with each other. They are placed on the x-axis at the points x = – d, 0 and d. find the minimum value of
d/ for which there is destructive interference with almost zero resultant intensity at points on the x-axis
having x > > d.
Q.6 A ray of light of intensity I is incident on a parallel glass-slab at a point A
as shown in figure. It undergoes partial reflection and refraction. At each
reflection 20% of incident energy is reflected. The rays AB
and A B undergo interference. Find the ratio Imax/Imin.
Q.7 The figure shows the Young's double slit experiment with a mica sheet of
thickness t and refractive index , introduced in front of S1. If the mica-
sheet is removed from earlier position and placed in front of S2 find the
number of fringes crossing O.
Q.5 In a Young's experiment, the upper slit is covered by a thin glass plate of refractive index 1.4 while the
lower slit is covered by another glass plate having the same thickness as the first one but having refractive
index 1.7 . Interference pattern is observed using light of wavelength 5400 Å . It is found that the point
P on the screen where the central maximum (n = 0) fell before the glass plates were inserted now has
3/4 the original intensity . It is further observed that what used to be the 5th maximum earlier, lies below
the point P while the 6th minimum lies above P. Calculate the thickness of the glass plate.
(Absorption of light by glass plate may be neglected) .
Q.6 A coherent parallel beam of microwaves of wavelength
= 0.5 mm falls on a Young's double slit apparatus. The separation
between the slits is 1.0 mm. The intensity of microwaves is measured on
screen placed parallel to the plane of the slits at a distance of 1.0 m from
it, as shown in the figure.
(a) If the incident beam falls normally on the double slit apparatus, find the
y coordinates of all the interference minima on the screen .
(b) If the incident beam makes an angle of 30º with the x axis (as in the dotted arrow shown in the figure),
find the y coordinates of the first minima on either side of the central maximum.
Q.7 In a Young's double slit arrangement, a source of wavelength 6000 Å is used. The screen is placed 1 m
from the slits . Fringes formed on the screen, are observed by a student sitting close to the slits. The
student's eye can distinguish two neighbouring fringes if they subtend an angle more than 1 minute of arc.
Calculate the maximum distance between the slits so that the fringes are clearly visible. Using this information
calculate the position of 3rd bright & 5th dark fringe from the centre of the screen.
Q.8 A young’s double slit experiment is performed using light of wavelength = 5000Å, which
emerges in phase from two slits a distance d = 3 ×10–7m apart. A transparent sheet of thickness t = 1.5
×10–7m is placed over one of the slits. The refractive index of the material of this sheet is = 1.17.
Where does the central maximum of theinterference pattern now appear?
Q.25 In Young’s double slit experiment an electron beam is used to form a fringe pattern instead of light. If
speed of the electrons is increased then the fringe width will : [JEE' 2005 (Scr)]
(A) increase (B) decrease
(C) remains same (D) no fringe pattern will be formed
ANSWER KEY
EXERCISE – I
Q.1 0.225 mm Q.2 18 Q.3 2 Q.4 8 m
2( 1) t
Q.5 1/3 Q.6 81 : 1 Q.7 Q.8 1.98 × 10–2 mm
Q.9 5000Å Q.10 0.2 mm Q.11 35.35 cm
1 2n 1 1 2n 1
Q.16 ± cos , n = 0, 1, 2, 3 & ± cos n = 0, 1, 2, 3
8 8
x ( 1) t
v Q.2 (a) I0 = I sec 2
Q.1 y , (b) 4 m
2 2
1 d 1 d D
Q.3 (i) (ii) ; D min ;
l D l D 2 2d
n D '
Q.4 X - coordinate = ;Ycoordinate D' , Where D’ = D + Mg/K (1– cost)
d
Q.5 (a) tB = 120 m (b) = 6mm; Imax = 9I, Imin = I (c) /6 = 1mm (d) I (at 5cm above 0) = 9I,
I (at 5 cm below 0) = 3I
Q.7 (i) I/3, (ii) I/9, (iii) 0.6 mm, (iv) 0.2mm downwards , (v) 8mm down, (vi) I
EXERCISE – III
8000
Q.1 A, C Q.2 4000 Å, 8000 Å , Å , 2000 Å Q.3 0.63 mm, 1.575 m
3
400
Q.4 7 m , 1.6 , m (decrease) Q.5 9.3 m
7
1 3 1 3 6.48
Q.6 (a) ± ,± (b) + , Q.7 ; mm , mm
15 7 15 7 3. 6 2 .4
Q.10 A, B, C Q.11 (a) y = 13/3 mm, (b) intensity at O = 0.75Imax (c) 650 nm, 433.33 nm
3
Q.12 A Q.13 A Q.14 t = , , ...... ; tminimum = = 90 nm
7 .2 7 .2 7 .2
R R 3 R R 3 R R 3 R R 3
Q.15 (0, – R), 2 , 2 , (R, 0), ,
2 2 , (0, R)
,
2 2 , ( – R, 0)
,
2
2
Q.19 (a) circular, (b) 16, (c) 3000Å Q.20 B Q.21 0, 125 nm