Interference

B.Sc. Physics (H.R.
K): Waves and Oscillation Chapter # 45: Interference
Interference of Light Waves

Interference
Superposition of two waves having same frequency and moving in the same direction
will result in the phenomenon of interference. The phenomenon of interference is a wave
phenomenon. Interference is of two types:
Constructive interference
If the two waves reach a point in phase i.e., crest of one wave falls on the crest of the
other wave and trough of on wave falls on the trough of the other wave then the two waves
reinforce each other and the net wave effect increases i.e., the net intensity is greater than the
intensity of individual wave. Such interference is called constructive interference.
Destructive Interference
If the two waves reach a point out of phase i.e., crest of one wave falls on the trough
of the other, then the two waves cancel each other‟s effect and the net intensity of individual
wave. This type of interference is called destructive interference.
Coherent sources
The phenomenon of interference is a wave phenomenon. It takes place due to
superposition of two exactly similar waves. It should be noted that the two waves interfere
only if they have phase coherence i.e., they come from two coherent sources.
Two sources are said to be coherent sources if they produce waves of same amplitude, same
frequency having either no initial phase different or a constant phase difference.
(a) A train of plane light waves (for example, from a laser) is incident on a barrier into which
are cut two narrow slits separated by a distance d. The width of the slits are small compared
with the wavelength, so that the waves passing through the slits spread out (diffract) and
illuminate the screen. (b) The interference pattern, consisting of bright and dark bands or
fringes that would appear on
the screen.
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B.Sc. Physics (H.R.K): Waves and Oscillation Chapter # 45: Interference
YOUNG’S DOUBLE SLIT EXPERIMENT:

Huygens wave theory of light was experimentally confirmed by a British scientist
THOMAS YOUNG in 1801. Young‟s double slit experiment is shown in figure.
S is a monochromatic source of light
which is a rectangular slit illuminated by
monochromatic light. This light is divided into
two parts by slits and . Now slits and
act as coherent sources because they are
obtained from single source. d is the distance
between slits and . D> d is the distance of
screen and slits and . Point O is the
central point of screen. Since the waves from
and cover equal distance to point O,
therefore, point O is a bright point due to
constructive interference. Point O is called
central maxima. Let us take any point P on the
screen at a distance y from central point O.
and are the distances of point P from and
. The path difference between the waves arriving at P is ;
To calculate this path difference we draw a perpendicular on such that
From figure:
( )
Now, from the right angled triangle , we have:
( ) ( )
As so . Therefore:
2
But from right triangle
( )
Condition for Constructive Interference

Now for point P to be a bright point the path difference should be equal to integral multiple of
where y is the distance of mth bright band from point O. For we get central maxima.
Condition for Destructive Interference
Now for point P take a dark point , the path difference should be equal to odd multiple of
( )
( )
where y is the distance of mth dark band from point O. For we get 1st dark band.
Sample Problem 1.In double slit experiment with mercury vapor lamp, the strong green
light of wavelength is visible.The slits are apart and the screen is
away.What is the angular position of the first minimum?of the 10thmaximum?.
(a) For minima we have: ( )
For first minima put :
(b) . For maxima we have:
For 10th maxima put :
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Sample Problem 2.What is the linear distance on screen C between the adjacent
maxima of sample problem 1.
From sample problem 1:
To Determine: Distance between maxima
For mth maxima: , For(m+1) maxima: ( )
Therefore, ( )
Intensity in Young Double Slit Experiment

Consider two coherent sources giving waves of same angular frequency
.Let be the distance between .
Suppose the distance of observation point P
on the screen from be and from . It
is assumed that are very large as
compared to . Let the waves reaching P due
to coherent sources be given by:
( ) ( )
( ) ( )
where are the displacements reaching P and ( ) ( ) are the amplitudes
reaching there. The total displacement at P is obtained by their superposition:
( ) ( ) ( ) ( )
( ) ( ) ( )
( )
( ( ) ( ) )
( ( ) ( ) )
Let ( ) ( ) ()
And ( ) ( ) ( )
Then
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[ ]
( )
This is the equation of resultant wave at point P.
Phase Constant
( ) ( )
( ) ( )
( ) ( )
( ) ( )
( )
( ) ( )
Amplitude of Resultant Wave
The amplitude A is given by squaring and adding (i) and (ii).
( ) ( ) ( ) ( )
( ) ( )
( ) ( )
( )
( )( ) ( )( )
( ) ( )[ ]
( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( )
( ) ( ) ( )
( )
( ) ( ) ( ) ( )
( ) ( ) ( )
( )[ ( )]
( )
( )* +
( )
( ) ( )
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Intensity of Resultant Wave
From figure, . Therefore,
( ) ( ) [ ]
( ) * + ( )
As the intensity of light is proportional to the square of the

amplitude, so above equation gives the intensity of light at point at
point P. Therefore,
( )
( ) is the maximum intensity at point P for This equation gives the

intensity of a wave at a point P. Figure shows the plot of intensities as a function of
Condition for Maxima
Condition for Minima
( )
( )
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Adding of Electromagnetic Waves (Phasor Method)

We can obtain combined electric field of light in double slit experiment by algebraic
method. But this method becomes very difficult when we add more than waves. So to
overcome this problem the combined electric field is obtained by phasor
method. A phasor is rotating vector which gives time varying quantities. A
sinusoidal wave disturbance is represented by as
( )
This wave can be represented a rotating vector, called phasor. For this
purpose, we take a phasor of magnitude which is rotating about the
origin in anticlockwise direction with angular frequency . Then the

disturbance in equation (1) is represented by the projection of
phasor along y-axis [Fig. (a)].
Now consider a second wave of the same amplitude but having a phase
difference given as:
( )
It is represented by the projection of 2nd phasor along y-axis as shown:
Now the sum is obtained by adding the projection of
phasors along y-axis. It can be explained more clearly if we redraw the phasors such that the
tail of one coincide with the head of the other as shown in
figure (b):
From figure, it is clear that sum is equal to the
projection of phasor of amplitude along y-axis. So, from
figure (c), we can see that projection can be written as:
( ) ( )
Now we have to determine and of this resultant wave.
Determination of
In figure (c), the three phasors form an
isosceles triangle. Since by mathematics, the sum of two interior angles of triangle is equal to
the exterior angle:
Determination of
In figure (c), the length of the base of the triangle can be described as:
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( )
Where is the amplitude of the resultant wave. The maximum possible value of the
amplitude is i.e., twice the amplitude of individual wave.
Equation of Resultant Wave
By putting values in equation (3), we get:
( )
This is the equation of resultant wave.

Interference in Thin Films
Consider a thin film of uniform thickness and refractive index n. Monochromatic light
is made to fall on this film. Light is reflected from the upper and lower surfaces of the film.
These rays I and II interfere to give interference fringes.
Ray reflected from the lower surface has a
longer path than the ray reflected from the upper
surface. For normal incidence the ray reflected from
the bottom covers a distance 2d greater than the upper
ray. In this time the ray reflected from the upper
surface undergoes a phase. It is due to the reason that
when reflection takes place at the boundary of a
denser medium, the crest is reflected as trough and
vice versa.
( )
Now when light wave

passes from one medium (air) to another medium (oil), both the speed and wavelength
change but frequency remains constant.
( )
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From equation (B), we can write:
( )
( )
Condition for Maxima

For maxima:
( )
( )
This is the condition for constructive interference.

Condition for Minima
Now for minima
( )
( )
Multiply by n on both sides, we get:
( ) ( ) ( )
This is a condition of destructive interference.
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Newton Rings
They are circular interference fringes .They consist of alternate bright and dark rings. These
rings were first obtained by newton. That is why they are
known as newton s rings. Newton‟s particles theory could not
explain the formation of these rings.
Experimental Arrangement
Consider a plane convex lenses placed on the glass with convex
surface on the plate. Suppose light is made to fall normally on
the plane surface of lens. Interference takes place b/w the rays
reflected from upper and lower and upper surface of the air
from between the lens and the plate.
The path difference between two rays depends on thickness of air film at the point of
incidence. It is equal to twice the thickness of air film at this point. Since the points of equal
thickness lie in a circle. So the points of equal path difference lie in concentric circles. Thus
the fringes obtained in this case are circular. These circular fringes are called Newton‟s rings.
The ray of light reflected from the lower surface of the air film (upper surface of glass plate)
undergoes a phase change of or path difference of due to its reflection from denser
medium.
So for maxima i.e., for constructive interference:
( )
( ) ( )
And for minima i.e., for destructive interference:

( )
Let R be the radius of curvature of the convex surface and r is the radius of the fringe. Then
the thickness of air film is given by:
From Figure, ( ) √ . Therefore,

√
( )
( )
10
( )
( )
( )
For Maxima
Putting the value of in eq. (1), we get:
( ) ( )
( )
( )
√( )
This equation gives the radii of bright rings.

For Manima
Putting the value of in eq. (2), we get:
( )
√
This equation gives the radii of dark rings.
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7. Michelson’s Interferometer
It is a device used to produce interference and also makes certain measurements. For
example it can be used to measure wavelength of light. It can be used to measure thickness of
film.
Construction:
It consists of semi silvered glass plate M called splitter. This plate is semi silvered at
the back. A glass plate P having the same
thickness as that of M is also placed parallel to
M. Two plane mirrors are placed
perpendicular to each other. The mirror is
mounted on a carriage and can be moved parallel
to itself with the help of micrometer screw.
The plane mirrors are provided
with leveling screws at their back with the help
of which they can be made exactly perpendicular
to direction of two beams. The interference band
observed in the telescope T. Figure shows the arrangement.
Working:
Light from a monochromatic source S falls on a semi silvered glass plate M placed at
an angle of to the incident light. This plate splits up the light into two equal parts due to
reflection and transmission. The two parts acts as coherent sources because they are
derived from the source S. Ray is reflected and Ray is transmitted. A glass plate P having
the same thickness as that of M is placed in the path of Ray because Ray passes through
the glass thrice while Ray passes only one. So to keep the optical paths equal the plate P is
placed in the path of Ray . This plate is called compensating plate. Ray after reflection
from and transmission through M enters the telescope. The plane mirrors are placed
perpendicular to the rays so that they retrace their path. In this way they superpose between
M and T to produce interference.
Whether we observe a bright or dark band, it depends upon the path difference of two
rays.Now suppose the path difference between two rays is zero i.e. the two rays cover equal
distances before entering the telescope. Then they interfere constructively and we observe
zeroth bright band.To change the path difference, the mirror is kept moveable and is
fixed.The following measurements can be made with the interferometer.
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(i) Measurements of wavelength ( )

For measuring the wavelength, the source of light is monochromatic and is
perpendicular to . So the fringes obtained are circular.Now we have the mirror , the
fringes go on passing before the eye.Suppose we are observing zeroth bright band. To see the
next bright band we have to produce a path difference of So, we move the mirror
through the distance of because ray has to cover it twice. So zeroth bright is band
replaced by 1st bright band when is moved through the distance .
So by moving the mirror through the distance of each time, we find that a bright
band is replaced by the next bright band. Suppose n bright fringes pass before the eye when
is moved through the distance d, then
So knowing d and n , can be determined.

(ii) Measurements of Thickness
The plate whose thickness is required, is placed in the path of one of the rays. If is
the thickness and on the index of refraction, then path difference introduced ( )
If is moved through a distance d then ( ) So knowing d and n we can
determine the thickness of the plate.
Sample Problem 7. Yellow light ( ) illuminates a Michelson interferometer.
How many bright fringes will be counted as the mirror is moved through 1.00cm.
As we know that
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8. Fresnel’s Biprism & its use to Determine Wavelength of Light:

A biprism is a prism whose one angle is little less than and the other two angles are
small and equal to each other.
Construction and Working
It is a combination of two glass prisms with their bases in contact i.e. it acts as two
prisms placed base to base. It is the best apparatus to produce interference fringes.
Light from a narrow slit perpendicular to the plane of paper and illuminated by a
monochromatic source is refracted from the biprism. Such that two virtual images of
the slit S are formed. So light appears to be coming from virtual images . These
virtual images acts as coherent sources. If a screen is placed in front of them, interference
fringes can be obtained.
Let be the distance between the two coherent sources . Suppose a screen
is placed at a distance D from the slit S. Draw
perpendicular SC on the screen. Then C is equidistant from
.Hence „C‟ will be point of maximum intensity.
Let us consider any point P on the screen distant
from C. Join .The two waves have a path
difference in reaching „P‟.Now from figure:
( ) ( ) ( )
( ) ( ) ( )
Subtracting (1) and (2):
( ) ( ) ( ) ( )
( )( )
Now (for field approximation)
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( )( )
( )
Condition for maxima:

The point „P‟ will be a bright band if path difference is integral multiple of :
This is the distance of nth bright band from „C‟. The distance of ( ) bright band from
„C‟ is
( )
Fringe width ‘ ’:
The fringe width or fringe spacing is defined as “ The distance between two consecutive
bright or dark bands.”So „ ‟ is given as
( )
[ ( )]
( )
So knowing, d and D, We can determine the unknown wavelength
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Interference

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B.Sc. Physics (H.R.

K): Waves and Oscillation Chapter # 45: Interference

Interference of Light Waves

YOUNG’S DOUBLE SLIT EXPERIMENT:

To calculate this path difference we draw a perpendicular on such that

Now, from the right angled triangle , we have:

But from right triangle

Condition for Constructive Interference

(a) For minima we have: ( )

For first minima put :

(b) . For maxima we have:

For 10th maxima put :

To Determine: Distance between maxima

For mth maxima: , For(m+1) maxima: ( )

Intensity in Young Double Slit Experiment

From figure, . Therefore,

As the intensity of light is proportional to the square of the

( ) is the maximum intensity at point P for This equation gives the

Condition for Maxima

Condition for Minima

Adding of Electromagnetic Waves (Phasor Method)

origin in anticlockwise direction with angular frequency . Then the

This is the equation of resultant wave.

Now when light wave

Condition for Maxima

This is the condition for constructive interference.

Multiply by n on both sides, we get:

This is a condition of destructive interference.

And for minima i.e., for destructive interference:

From Figure, ( ) √ . Therefore,

This equation gives the radii of bright rings.

(i) Measurements of wavelength ( )

replaced by 1st bright band when is moved through the distance .

So knowing d and n , can be determined.

8. Fresnel’s Biprism & its use to Determine Wavelength of Light:

Condition for maxima:

So knowing, d and D, We can determine the unknown wavelength

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