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Practical’s
Experiment#1
Determination of Wavelength of Red Laser Light by Michelson
Interferometer
Hypothesis
The wavelength of red laser light can be determined by observing the number of interference fringes shifted
when the movable mirror of the Michelson interferometer is displaced through a known distance.
Apparatus
Red laser source
Michelson interferometer
Beam splitter
Fixed mirror
Movable mirror
Micrometre screw
Screen / telescope
Measuring scale
Procedure
1. Switch ON the red laser source.
2. Adjust the Michelson interferometer so that clear circular fringes are visible.
3. Select one bright fringe as the reference fringe.
4. Rotate the micrometre screw slowly to move the movable mirror.
5. Count the number of fringes N = 50 passing the reference point.
6. Note the initial and final micrometre readings.
7. Find mirror displacement:
d=final value−initial value
8. Calculate the wavelength using the formula below.
Calculation
Observed values:
2
Initial reading = 5.200 mm
Final reading = 5.216 mm
Mirror displacement = 0.016 mm
Number of fringes = 50
Formula:
2d 2 ( 0.016 )
λ= λ= −7
λ=6.4∗10 m λ=640 nm
N 50
Percentage Error
Using standard red laser wavelength = 650 nm
|λex −λsta|
%Error= ∗100
λex
|640 nm−650|
%Error= ∗100%Error=1.54 %
640
Conclusion
The wavelength of red laser light is determined as:
λ = 640 nm
The percentage error is 1.54%, which shows that the experimental result is close to the standard value.
Precautions
Move the micrometre screw slowly.
Count fringes carefully without missing any.
Avoid vibration of the table.
Keep mirrors properly aligned.
Do not look directly into the laser beam.
Take multiple readings for better accuracy.
Experiment#2
Single Slit Diffraction using Diode Laser
Hypothesis
3
When laser light passes through a single slit, diffraction occurs and a pattern of bright and dark fringes is
formed. The slit width can be calculated using fringe measurements.
Apparatus
Diode laser (red)
Single slit
Screen
Optical bench
Meter scale
Measuring tape / scale
Procedure
Set diode laser in front of single slit.”
Place screen at distance D.
1. Observe diffraction pattern.
2. Measure:
o distance between central maxima → y
o distance slit to screen → D
3. Take order (m = 4).
4. Use wavelength of red laser:
λ=640 nm
5. Substitute values in formula and calculate slit width.
Note: ( Laser source ko stable stand par fix karo aur single slit ke samne align karo. Slit aur screen ke
darmiyan distance D (e.g. 1 m ya jo diya ho) measure karo aur note karo. Laser beam ko slit se pass karo
aur screen par diffraction pattern observe karo. Screen par central bright fringe aur side maxima/minima
clearly mark karo. Central maximum se dono sides par dark fringes (minima) ki positions measure karo.
Har dark fringe ki position record karo (left aur right dono sides. Multiple readings lo taake average error
kam ho)
Observations
(y = 0.029 , m)
(D = 0.45 , m)
(m = 4)
( λ=640 nm)
Calculation
Using:
4
2m λ D
a=
y
Substitute values:
2 ( 4 ) ( 640 nm )( 0.45 )
¿
0.029
−5
a=3.18∗10 m
Final Answer
−5
a=3.18∗10 m
Result
The slit width determined using single slit diffraction is:
−5
a=3.18∗10 m
Conclusion
The experiment shows that diffraction of laser light can be used to determine slit width. The calculated value
is very small, confirming that the slit is microscopic and the wave nature of light is verified.
Precautions
Laser beam should be properly aligned with slit.
Screen should be perpendicular to beam.
Distance measurements must be accurate.
Avoid shaking of setup.
Measure fringe width carefully to reduce error.
Experiment#3
Double Slit Diffraction
Hypothesis
5
Light behaves as a wave. When monochromatic light passes through two closely spaced slits, it produces an
interference pattern of bright and dark fringes. If intensity data is recorded and plotted in Data Studio, the
graph will show peaks and troughs that match theoretical predictions. The measured fringe spacing should
be close to the calculated value, with only minor experimental error.
Apparatus
Laser source (monochromatic, e.g., red laser pointer, λ ≈ 650 nm)
Double slit plate (slit width a, slit separation d)
Screen (white paper or photodetector)
Meter scale or ruler
Stand and clamps
Camera or photodetector connected to computer
Google Data Studio (or similar software) for plotting intensity vs. position
Procedure
1. Align the laser beam so it passes perpendicularly through the double slit.
2. Place the screen at a measured distance L from the slits.
3. Switch on the laser and observe the interference pattern.
4. Record the pattern using a camera or photodetector.
5. Export brightness vs. position data into a spreadsheet.
6. Import the dataset into Data Studio.
7. Plot a line graph of intensity vs. position.
8. Measure fringe spacing (Δy) from the graph and compare with theoretical values.
9. Repeat measurements for accuracy.
Calculations and Results
λD
Formula for fringe width: Δ y=
d
Example values:
o λ = 650 nm
o D = 1.0 m
o d = 0.25 mm
Theoretical fringe width:
650 nm
λth= −1
=2.6 nm
2.3∗10
Measured fringe width (from Data Studio graph):
Δ y=2.5 nm
Percentage Error:
| Δ yex−Δ yth|
%Error= ∗100%Error =¿3.8%
Δ yex
Data Studio Graph: Shows multiple peaks (bright fringes) spaced ~2.5 mm apart, with decreasing
intensity due to diffraction envelope. The plotted curve visually confirms theoretical predictions.
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Conclusion
The experiment validates the wave nature of light. The interference fringes observed match theoretical
predictions within a small error margin (~3.8%). The Data Studio graph provides clear visualization of the
intensity distribution, making the comparison between theory and experiment precise and easy to interpret.
Precautions
Align the laser carefully with the slits.
Avoid direct eye exposure to the laser beam.
Keep apparatus stable to prevent vibrations.
Use monochromatic light for sharp fringes.
Collect data in a dark room for better visibility.
Calibrate sensors before recording data.
Take multiple readings to minimize error.