Sodium D Line Splitting

Splitting of sodium D-lines using diffraction grating
Objective: Measurement of the wavelength separation of sodium D-lines using a

diffraction grating and to calculate the angular dispersive power of the grating.
Apparatus: Spectrometer, prism, diffraction grating, sodium lamp with power supply.
Theory
The sodium spectrum is dominated by the bright
doublet known as the sodium D-lines at 589.0 and 589.6
nanometers as shown in Fig. 1. Using an appropriate
diffraction grating the wavelength separation of these two
lines can be determined. A schematic for diffraction of
sodium light (Na-D lines) with a plane transmission grating
is shown in Fig. 2. Figure 1: Sodium D-lines
Diffraction Grating:
An arrangement consisting of a large number of parallel slits of the same width and
separated by equal opaque spaces is known as a diffraction grating. It is usually made by
ruling equidistant, extremely closely spaced and narrow grooves with a diamond point on
an optically plane glass plate. A photographic replica of a plate made in this way is often
used as a commercial transmission grating.
For N parallel slits, each with a width e and separated by an opaque space of width
b, the diffraction pattern consists of diffraction modulated interference fringes. The
quantity (e+b) is called the grating element and N (= 1/ (e+b)) is the number of slits per
unit length, which could typically be 300 to 1200 lines per inch. For a large number of slits,
the diffraction pattern consists of extremely sharp (practically narrow lines) principal
maxima, together with weak secondary maxima in between the principal maxima. The
various principal maxima are called orders.
For polychromatic incident light falling normally on a plane transmission grating the
Last updated in September 2023 © NISER Page 1

principal maxima for each spectral wavelength are given by
(e+b) sin =  m (1)
Where m is the order of principal maximum and θ is the angle of diffraction.
Angular dispersive power:
The angular dispersive power of the grating is defined as the rate of change of angle of
diffraction with the change in wavelength. It is obtained by differentiating Eqn. 1 and is
given by
d m
 (2)
d (e  b) cos 
Experimental setup:
The actual experimental set up is shown in Fig. 3.
Figure 2: Schematic for diffraction of sodium Na-D lines Figure 3: Experimental set up
Procedure :
1. Follow the support manual for spectrometer provided in the appendix for basic
adjustment of spectrometer. Determine the vernier constant of the spectrometer.
2. Now remove the prism from the turntable. The next step is to adjust the grating on the
turntable so that its lines are vertical, i.e. parallel to the axis of rotation of the turntable.
Moreover, the light from the collimator should fall normally on the grating. To achieve
this, the telescope is brought directly in line with the collimator so that the center of the

direct image of the slit falls on the intersection of the cross-wires (without mounting
the grating). In this setting of the telescope, its vernier reading is noted; let it be .
3. The telescope is now turned through 90° from this position in either direction so that
the reading of the vernier becomes (+900) or (-900). Now the axis of telescope is at
right angles to the direction of rays of light emerging from the collimator. The telescope
is clamped in this position.
4. The grating of known grating element is then mounted on the grating holder, which is
fixed on the turntable in such a way that the ruled surface of the grating is perpendicular
to the line joining two of the leveling screws (say Q and R) on the turntable.
5. The table is now rotated in the proper direction till the reflected image of the slit from
the grating surface coincides with the intersection of the cross-wires of the telescope.
6. By the help of two leveling screws (Q and R), perpendicular to which grating is fixed
on the table, the image is adjusted to be symmetrical on the horizontal cross- wires. The
plane of the grating, in this setting, makes an angle of 45° with the incident rays as well
as with the telescope axis.
7. The reading of vernier is now taken and with its help, the turntable is rotated through
450 from this position so that the ruled surface becomes exactly normal to the
incident rays. The turntable is now firmly clamped.
8. The final adjustment is to set the lines of the grating exactly parallel to the axis of
rotation of the telescope. The telescope is rotated and adjusted to view the first order
diffraction pattern. The third leveling screw (P) of the prism table is now worked to
get the fringes (spectral lines) symmetrically positioned with respect to the
horizontal cross-wire.
9. If this adjustment is perfect, the centers of all the spectral lines on either side of the
direct one will be found to lie on the intersection of the cross-wires as the telescope
is turned to view them one after another. The rulings on the grating are now parallel
to the axis rotation of the telescope. The grating spectrometer is now fully ready to
make the measurements. Do not disturb any of the setting of the spectrometer
henceforth throughout the experiment.
10. Look through the telescope to notice the first or second order (whichever you see is
completely resolved) D lines of sodium. That means you will see two yellow lines

on both sides of the direct image (which is a single line) of the slit at the center.
Note down the positions of the cross wire for each line on one side using the two
verniers on the spectrometer. Use a torch, if needed, to read the verniers. Repeat the
above step by turning the telescope to the other side too. Determine the diffraction
angle,, for all the two spectral lines.
11. Take two sets of reading for each D-line and calculate the corresponding wavelength
λ1 and λ2 using Eq. 1.
Observation
Number of lines on grating = -------- Grating element = ---------- Order, m=----
Sodium Left side Right side Vernier Vernier

Doublet 1 2 Avg. λ
Vernier 1(deg) Vernier 2(deg) Vernier 1(deg) Vernier2(deg) 2θ(deg) 2θ(deg) θ(deg)
MSR VSR TOTAL MSR VSR TOTAL MSR VSR TOTAL MSR VSR TOTAL
D1 θ1= λ1=
D2 θ2= λ2=
Results:
1. Calculate λ1 and λ2 and the uncertainty of the result.
2. Calculate the difference λ2 - λ1 and compare with the literature value.
3. Calculate the angular dispersive power.
Precautions:
1. Once the collimator and the telescope are adjusted for parallel rays, their focusing
should not be disturbed throughout the experiment.
2. Once the grating is properly adjusted on the turntable it should be locked.
3. While taking measurements at different positions of the telescope. It must always be in
locked condition.
4. While rotating the telescope arm if the vernier crosses over 0º (360º) on the circular main
scale take the angular difference appropriately.
References:
1. B.L. Worsnop and H.T. Flint, Advanced Practical physics for Students
2. B.K. Mathur, Introduction to Geometrical and Physical Optics

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Splitting of sodium D-lines using diffraction grating

Objective: Measurement of the wavelength separation of sodium D-lines using a

Last updated in September 2023 © NISER Page 1

Last updated in September 2023 © NISER Page 2

Last updated in September 2023 © NISER Page 3

Number of lines on grating = -------- Grating element = ---------- Order, m=----

Sodium Left side Right side Vernier Vernier

Last updated in September 2023 © NISER Page 4

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