Superposition Part 4 Diffraction Grating

Superposition
Part 4: Diffraction Grating
By: Mr. David
Physics JC1
Lecture – 18 February 2022
Diffraction Grating
Objectives
• recall and use d sin θ = nλ
• describe the use of a diffraction grating to determine the wavelength of light

(the structure and use of the spectrometer are not included)
Resource: Textbook chapter 13

Transmission Diffraction Grating
A transmission diffraction
grating is similar to the slide
used in the double-slit
experiment, but with
many more slits than just two.
It consists of a large number of
equally spaced lines ruled on a
glass or plastic slide. Each line is
capable of diffracting the
incident light. There may be as
many as 10 000 lines per
centimetre.
When light is shone through

this grating, a pattern of
interference fringes is seen.
Reflection Diffraction Grating
A reflection diffraction
grating consists of lines
made on a reflecting
surface so that light is both
reflected and diffracted by
the grating. The shiny
surface of a CD (compact
disc), or a DVD (digital
versatile disc), is an
everyday example of a
reflection diffraction
grating.
Reflection Diffraction Grating
A reflection diffraction
grating consists of lines
made on a reflecting
surface so that light is both
reflected and diffracted by
the grating. The shiny
surface of a CD (compact
disc), or a DVD (digital
versatile disc), is an
everyday example of a
reflection diffraction
grating.
Observing diffraction with a Transmission Grating
A monochromatic light from a laser is
incident normally on a transmission
diffraction grating. In the space
beyond, interference fringes are
formed.
These can be observed on a

screen, as with the double
slit. However, it is usual to
measure the angle θ at which
they are formed, rather than
measuring their separation.
Observing diffraction with a Transmission Grating
The bright fringes are also

referred to as maxima. The
central fringe is called the
zeroth order maximum, the
next fringe is the first-order
maximum, and so on. The
pattern is symmetrical, so
there are two first-order
maxima, two second-order
maxima, and so on.
Explaining the experiment
The principle is the same as for the double-slit There is a bright fringe, the zeroth-order
experiment, but here we have light passing maximum, in the straight-through direction
through many slits. As it passes through each (θ = 0). This is because all of the rays here are
slit, it diffracts into the space beyond. So now travelling parallel to one another and in
we have many overlapping beams of light, and phase, so the interference is constructive.
these interfere with one another.
Explaining the experiment
The first-order maximum forms in a specific direction as follows. Diffraction occurs at all of the slits.
Rays of light emerge from all of the slits to form a bright fringe – all the rays must be in phase. In the
direction of the first-order maximum, ray 1 has travelled the smallest distance. Ray 2 has travelled an
extra distance equal to one whole wavelength and is therefore in phase with ray 1. The path difference
between ray 1 and ray 2 is equal to one wavelength λ. Ray 3 has travelled two extra wavelengths and is
in phase with rays 1 and 2. In fact, the rays from all of the slits are in step in this direction, and a bright
fringe results.
Determining wavelength λ with a diffraction grating
By measuring the angles at which the maxima occur, we can
determine the wavelength λ of the incident monochromatic light.
The wavelength λ is related to the angle θ by the equation:
where d is the separation between adjacent lines of the grating, θ is the angle for the
nth-order maximum and λ is the wavelength of the monochromatic light incident
normally at the diffraction grating. n is known as the order of the maximum; n can only
have integer values 0, 1, 2, 3 and so on. The distance d is also known as the grating
element or grating spacing.
Diffracting white light
A diffraction grating can be used to split
white light up into its component colours.
This splitting of light is known as dispersion.
On either side, a series of spectra

appear, with violet closest to the centre
and red furthest away. We can see why
different wavelengths have their maxima
at different angles if we rearrange the
equation to give:
The greater the wavelength λ, the greater

the value of sin θ and hence the greater the
angle θ.
Worked Example
Practice Problem #1
• For the case described in Worked example 2, with λ = 580 nm, calculate the angle
θ for the second-order maximum.
• Repeat the calculation of θ for n = 3, 4, and so on. Determine how many maxima
can be seen. Explain your answer.
Practice Problem #1
• For the case described in Worked example 2, with λ = 580 nm, calculate the angle θ for the
second-order maximum.
• Repeat the calculation of θ for n = 3, 4, and so on. Determine how many maxima can be
seen. Explain your answer.
Practice Problem #2
Consider the equation . State and explain how the interference pattern would
change when:
• the wavelength of the incident light is increased for the same grating
• the grating is changed for one with more lines per cm for the same incident light.
Practice Problem #3
A student is trying to make an accurate measurement of the wavelength of green light from a mercury lamp. The
wavelength λ of this light is 546 nm. Using a double-slit of separation 0.50 mm, the student can see 10 clear bright
fringes on a screen at a distance of 0.80 m from the slits. The student can measure their overall width to within ±1 mm
using a ruler.
The student then tries an alternative experiment using a diffraction grating with 3000 lines cm-1. The angle between
the two second-order maxima can be measured to within ±0.1°.
• Determine the width of the 10 fringes that the student can measure in the first experiment.
• Determine the angle of the second-order maximum that the student can measure in the second experiment.
• Based on your answers to parts a and b, suggest which experiment you think will give the more accurate value of
λ.
Practice Problem #4
White light is incident normally on a diffraction grating with a slit-separation d of 2.00 × 10−6 m.
The visible spectrum has wavelengths between 400 nm and 700 nm.
• Calculate the angle between the red and violet ends of the first-order spectrum.
• Explain why the second- and third-order spectra overlap.

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Superposition

Part 4: Diffraction Grating

By: Mr. David

• recall and use d sin θ = nλ

• describe the use of a diffraction grating to determine the wavelength of light

Resource: Textbook chapter 13

When light is shone through

These can be observed on a

The bright fringes are also

On either side, a series of spectra

The greater the wavelength λ, the greater

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