WAVE OPTICS

CONCEPT MAP

WAVE OPTICS

HUYGENE'S INTERFERENCE
PRINCIPLE DIFFRACTION

LAWS OF
REFLECTION CONDITION FOR YOUNG'S
AND CONSTRUCTIVE AND DOUBLE SLIT SINGLE SLIT
REFRACTION DESTRUCTIVE EXPERIMENT EXPERIMENT
INTERFERENCE

CONDITION
FRINGE CONDITION FOR FOR MINIMA
WIDTH CENTRAL AND
MAXIMA SECONDARY
MAXIMA

SHORT NOTES
WAVE FRONT:
The surface of constant phase. ( It is the locus of all points where particles vibrate with same phase).
TYPES OF WAVE FRONT:
(i) Spherical wavefront : The wave front emerging from a point source.
(ii) Cylindrical Wavefront : the wave front emerging from a linear source
(iii) Plane Wave front : The wave front emerges from a distant source (point or linear)

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 HUYGEN’S PRINCIPLE :
It is the geometrical construction which allows to determine the position of wave front at any time.
1. Every point on the primary wave front act as the source
of secondary wavelets (part of the wavefront) which
spread out in all directions with same speed of the wave.
2. The surface touching these secondary wavelets
tangentially in the forward direction gives the position
of new wave front at that instant.

REFLECTION ON THE BASIS OF WAVE THEORY:

Consider a reflecting surface MN. Let AB be
a plane wavefront incident at an angle ∠ 𝑖
with the surface MN. After ‘t’ sec, the ray at
B travels a distance of ‘vt’ where v is the
speed of wave.
From the diagram, BC = AE = vt
Also ⊿ 𝐴𝐵𝐶 𝑎𝑛𝑑 ⊿𝐴𝐸𝐶, ∠𝐸 = ∠𝐵 = 90°
AC = AC
∴ ⊿ 𝐴𝐵𝐶 ≅ ⊿ 𝐴𝐸𝐶 and ∠𝑖 = ∠𝑟 Thus law of reflection is proved.
REFRACTION OF WAVE ON THE BASIS OF WAVE THEORY :
Let PP’ be the surface that separates two media in which velocity of light be V1 and V2.
Let AB be a plane wave front incident at an angle ∠𝑖.

𝑣1 𝑡 𝑣2 𝑡
𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑟 ⊿𝐴𝐵𝐶 𝑎𝑛𝑑 ⊿𝐴𝐸𝐶, sin 𝑖 = 𝑎𝑛𝑑 sin 𝑟 =
𝐴𝐶 𝐴𝐶
sin 𝑖 𝑣1
= ---------------(1)
sin 𝑟 𝑣2
𝐶 𝐶 𝑛2 𝑣1
Also we know that , 𝑛1 = 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑛2 = = -------------------(2)
𝑣1 𝑣2 𝑛1 𝑣2
𝑛2 sin 𝑖
From (1) and (2) , = = 𝑛21 and since V2 < V1, ∠𝑟 < ∠𝑖
𝑛1 sin 𝑟

Hence Snell’s law of refraction is verified.

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BEHAVIOUR OF PRISM , LENS AND SPHERICAL MIRROR TOWARDS A PLANE WAVE
FRONT :
Prism : Refracted wavefront is tilted
towards the base of the prism.
Convex Lens : The refracted
wavefront is spherical and
converging.
Concave Mirror : Reflected
wavefront is converging and
spherical.

PRINCIPLE OF
SUPERPOSITION OF WAVES :
When a number of waves travelling through a medium, superpose on each other, the resultant displacement
⃗⃗⃗⃗ = ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
at any point is equal to the vector sum of the displacements due to individual waves.𝒚 𝒚𝟏 + ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝒚𝟐 +
………….+𝒚
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗𝒏
INTERFERENCE :
When two light waves of same frequency
having constant phase difference
travelling in the same direction superpose each
other, the intensity in the region of super
position gets redistributed becoming maximum at some points and minimum at other points. This
phenomenon is Interference.
Constructive Interference :
An increase in intensity takes place at points
where crest of one wave falls on the crest of
other wave.
Destructive Interference :
A decrease in intensity takes place if crest of one
wave falls on the trough of another wave.
Condition for Interference :
Interference pattern is observed only when light waves being superposed are coherent.
Coherent Sources :
Sources which emit waves of constant phase difference and same frequency.
To obtain coherent sources, the waves emitted by a single source is split in to two parts. Two independent
sources can not act as coherent.
Conditions for Sustained Interference :

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 (i) Sources must be coherent
(ii) Amplitudes of two waves must be equal(which gives complete contrast in pattern)
(iii) Sources must be narrow.
(iv) Sources must be close to each other( to avoid overlapping, path difference must be small)
Conditions For constructive and Destructive Interference :
Let us consider two light waves, 𝑦1 = 𝑎1 sin 𝜔𝑡 and
𝑦2 = 𝑎2 sin(𝜔𝑡 + ∅) 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 ∅ 𝑖𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑝ℎ𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑑𝑖𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑏𝑒𝑡𝑤𝑒𝑒𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑠.
𝑦 = 𝑦1 + 𝑦2 = 𝑎1 sin 𝜔𝑡 + 𝑎2 sin(𝜔𝑡 + ∅)
Y = A sin 𝜔𝑡 𝐶𝑜𝑠𝜃 + 𝐴 cos 𝜔𝑡 sin 𝜃
Y = A sin(𝝎𝒕 + 𝜽), resultant wave with amplitude A.
A2 = a12 + a22 + 2a1a2 Cos∅ ------------(1)
Intensity of the wave ∝ (amplitude)2
I = I1 + I2 + 2 √𝑰𝟏 𝑰𝟐 cos∅ -------------(2)
When I1 = I2 =Io ( intensity of light from the two slits are equal)
I = 2 Io + 2Io cos ∅ = 2 Io(1 + cos∅)

I = 4 Io cos2∅⁄𝟐
Constructive Interference : Maximum intensity, cos∅ = +1
∅ = 0, 2𝜋, 4𝜋 , … … = 2𝑛 𝜋 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑛 = 0, 1,2 … ..
2𝜋
For ′𝑥′ path difference, 𝑝ℎ𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑑𝑖𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒, 𝜙 = 𝑥
𝜆
2𝜋
Therefore, 𝑥 = 2𝑛 𝜋
𝜆

𝒙 = 𝒏𝝀, 𝒏 = 𝟎, 𝟏, 𝟐, … …
Destructive Interference : Minimum intensity, cos∅ = −1
∅ = 𝜋, 3𝜋 , … … = (2𝑛 − 1)𝜋 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑛 = 1,2 … ..
2𝜋
𝑥 = (2𝑛 − 1) 𝜋
𝜆
𝝀
𝒙 = (𝟐𝒏 − 𝟏) , n = 1,2, 3…..
𝟐

Fringe Width :
The intensity of light at a point on screen will depend upon the
path difference between two waves arriving at that point. At C, the
path difference between the waves from the slits S1 and S2 is zero.
Therefore intensity is maximum.
𝑦𝑑
𝑝𝑎𝑡ℎ 𝑑𝑖𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒, 𝑥 =
𝐷

If the point P is bright ( constructive interference),

𝑦𝑑
𝑥 = 𝑛𝜆, = 𝑛𝜆
𝐷
𝐷𝑛𝜆
𝑦= , n = 0,1,2,3…….
𝑑

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If the point P is dark ( destructive interference),
(2𝑛−1)𝜆 𝑦𝑑 (2𝑛−1)𝜆
𝑥= , =
2 𝐷 2

(2𝑛 − 1)𝐷𝜆
𝑦= , 𝑛 = 1, 2, 3 ….
2𝑑
Fringe width, 𝛽 = distance between two consecutive bright or dark fringes.
𝑫𝝀
𝜷= , all bright and dark fringes are of equal width.
𝒅

Width of central fringe = 2 x the distance of first dark fringes on either side.
𝐷𝜆 𝐷𝜆
𝛽𝑜 = 2 =
2𝑑 𝑑

Graphical Pattern of Interference

All bright fringes are equally bright.

Maximum and Minimum Intensity in terms of amplitudes :

Imax = a12 + a22 + 2 a1 a2 = (a1 + a2)2
Imin = a12 + a22 – 2 a1 a2 = (a1 - a2)2
𝑰𝒎𝒂𝒙 (𝒂𝟏 + 𝒂𝟐 )𝟐
=
𝑰𝒎𝒊𝒏 (𝒂𝟏 − 𝒂𝟐 )𝟐
𝒘𝟏 𝑰𝟏 𝒂𝟏 𝟐
Also, = = where w is width of slits S1 and S2
𝒘𝟐 𝑰𝟐 𝒂𝟐 𝟐

Angular width
𝛽 𝜆
𝜃= =
𝐷 𝑑
Interference with white light :
While using white light, coloured fringes are formed with central white.
𝐷𝜆
𝛽=
𝑑
Since 𝜆𝑅 > 𝜆𝑣 , 𝛽𝑅 > 𝛽𝑣 , red fringe is wider.
DIFFRACTION :
The phenomenon of bending of light around the corners of small
obstacles or apertures and its consequent spreading into the regions
of geometrical shadow.

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Types of Diffraction :
1. Fresnel’s Diffraction :
Here source and screen are placed close to the aperture and no lens is required.
2. Fraunhoffer’s Diffraction :
Here source and screen are placed at large distances from the aperture. Convex lens is used to observe the
diffraction pattern.
Diffraction – Condition :
Size of the obstacle should be comparable with the wavelength of waves.
It is common to all types of waves. Radio waves and sound waves are of larger wavelength, it is readily
observable. But for visible light, its wavelength is small, so it is not so common because the obstacle of this
size is not hardly available.
DIFFRACTION AT SINGLE SLIT :
All the wavelets going straight (𝜃 = 0°)
across the slit are focused at the central
point of the screen. The wavelets from any
two corresponding points of the two halves
of the slit reach the point ‘O’ in same phase,
added constructively to produce central
bright fringe. This is called central maxima.
Path Difference :
The secondary wavelets from different parts of the slit reach the point P in different phases.
The path difference between the wavelets from A and B is
BC = a sin𝜃
Position of Minima (dark fringes)
Suppose the point P is at a distance from the screen, so that the path difference is ′𝜆′ 𝑎𝑛𝑑
𝜃 = 𝜃1 , then 𝑎 sin 𝜃1 = 𝜆
𝜆
sin 𝜃1 = [ first minima]
𝑎

To get 𝜆 path difference, the slit is assumed to have two halves. The wavelets from these two halves are out
𝜆
of phase with path difference , causes minimum intensity.
2
𝜆
BC = 2 = 𝜆
2
𝑛𝜆
For nth minimum, sin 𝜃𝑛 = = 𝜃𝑛 , since angles are small.
𝑎
𝑦𝑛
From the figure, tan 𝜃𝑛 = = 𝜃𝑛
𝐷
𝑦𝑛 𝑛𝜆 𝐷𝑛𝜆
∴ = and 𝑦𝑛 = , distance of nth minimum. n = 1, 2, 3……
𝐷 𝑎 𝑎

Width of maxima = distance between two consecutive minima

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 𝑫𝝀
𝜷=
𝒂

Position of Maxima (bright fringes) :

3𝜆
Suppose the point is located such that BC = and 𝜃 = 𝜃1′
2
3𝜆
sin 𝜃1′ = [ first secondary maxima]
2𝑎
(2𝑛+1)𝜆
For nth secondary maxima, sin 𝜃𝑛′ = , n = 1,2, 3…..
2𝑎
𝑦𝑛′ (2𝑛+1)𝜆 (2𝑛+1)𝐷𝜆
= and 𝑦𝑛′ = , distance of nth maxima
𝐷 2𝑎 2𝑎

Width of minima = distance between two consecutive maxima

𝑫𝝀
𝜷′ =
𝒂
Width of central maxima :
𝟐𝑫𝝀
𝜷𝒐 =
𝒂
𝜆
Angular Width of maxima and minima : 𝜃 =
𝑎
2𝜆
Angular width of central maxima, 𝜃𝑜 =
𝑎

GRAPHICAL REPRESENTATION OF DIFFRACTION PATTERN :

IMPORTANT FORMULAE
SL. TERMS FORMULA
NO

1 Position of 𝑛𝑡ℎ bright fringe from the 𝐷𝑛𝜆

𝑦𝑛 =
centre in Young’s Double slit 𝑑

Experiment
2 Position of 𝑛𝑡ℎ dark fringe from the (2𝑛 − 1)𝐷𝜆
𝑦𝑛′ =
centre in Young’s Double slit 2𝑑

Experiment

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3 Fringe Width 𝐷𝜆
𝛽=
𝑑

4 Condition for constructive Interference Path difference , 𝑥 = 𝑛𝜆 n=0,1,2,3…

Phase Difference, 𝜙 = 2𝑛𝜋
5 Condition for destructive Interference 𝜆
Path difference , 𝑥 = (2𝑛 − 1)
2

n=1,2,3..
Phase Difference, 𝜙 = (2𝑛 − 1)𝜋
6 Resultant amplitude of interfering waves A = √𝑎12 + 𝑎22 + 2𝑎1 𝑎2 Cos∅

7 Resultant Intensity of interference I = I1 + I2 + 2 √𝐼1 𝐼2 cos∅

pattern
8 When I1 = I2 =Io ( intensity of light from ∅
I = 4 Io cos2
2
the two slits are equal)

9 Ratio of intensity of maxima and minima 𝐼𝑚𝑎𝑥 (𝑎1 + 𝑎2 )2

=
𝐼𝑚𝑖𝑛 (𝑎1 − 𝑎2 )2

10 Ratio of width of the two slits 𝑤1 𝐼1 𝑎1 2

= =
𝑤2 𝐼2 𝑎2 2

11 Condition for nth minimum of diffraction 𝑛𝜆

Sin 𝜃𝑛 = , n= 1, 2, 3,
𝑎
pattern
12 Width of central maxima 2𝐷𝜆
𝛽𝑜 =
𝑎

13 Width of maxima = Width of minima 𝐷𝜆

𝛽=
𝑎

14 Angular Width of maxima and minima λ

θ=
a
15 Angular width of central maxima 2λ
θ=
a

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