Conditions for Interference

An important consideration in determining thin-film interference is by knowing the

source of the light. A source could be a monochromatic or broadband source. A
monochromatic source results in interference patterns that appear as light or dark
bands. A broadband source causes the interference patterns to appear as colourful
bands.

We will look at the major conditions for interference and get a better idea of the concept.

The form of reflection undergone by the light waves at each boundary depends on the
refraction indexes of the two mediums.

Soft reflection: Reflects off a medium with a lower refraction index; as a result, no
phase shift is observed.

Hard reflection: Reflects off a medium with a higher refraction index; as a result, a
phase shift is observed of λ/2.

Reflection of Light
In this case, there is no phase change due to reflection at A and B because, in both
cases, light is travelling from a denser to a rarer medium. Thus, the effective path
difference between transmitted rays is also 2µt cos r.

For constructive interference,

(2n + 1) λ / 2 = 2μt Cos r

2t = mλn

For destructive interference,

nλ = 2μt Cos r

2t=(m+12)λn

where n = 0,1,2,3..
Transmission of Light
In this case, the phase difference between the waves is 180 degrees. Therefore,

For constructive interference,

nλ = 2μt Cos r

For destructive interference,

(2n + 1) λ / 2 = 2μt Cos r

where n = 0,1,2,3.

n is a whole number ≥0

t is the thickness of the thin film

λn is the wavelength in the medium.

Also Read: Laws of Reflection

Phase Difference and Path Difference

The phase difference is the difference in phase angle between two waves. Path
difference is defined as the difference in actual distance travelled by the two waves.

The phase angle is part of one complete wave cycle measured as a fraction of 2π (360
degrees), i.e., the phase difference from one wave peak to the next is 2π (360 degrees).
Relation between Path Difference and Phase Difference
The relation between phase difference and path difference is that they are directly
proportional to each other.

The phase difference Φ is 2π by wavelength (lambda) times the path difference (x)

Φ= (2π / λ) x

The interference can be constructive or destructive, depending on the phase difference

between the two reflected light waves, resulting in the increase or decrease in the
brightness of the reflected light.

During constructive interference, the light of a particular wavelength increases in

intensity, whereas in destructive interference, it decreases in intensity.

When light is travelling from a denser medium to a rarer medium, the phase shift is
zero. When light is travelling from a rarer medium to a denser medium, the phase shift
is 180 degrees.

Derivation of Path Difference

Consider light reflecting off the top and bottom interfaces of a thin film.
Path difference between the two reflected rays = µ(AB+BC) – AD

From the geometry of the triangles AEB, AFB, ABC, and ACF,

AE=EF, BC=BF &AB=BF

µ = Sin i / Sin r (Snell’s law)

In triangle ACD, Sin i = AD / AC –––––– (i)

In triangle AGC, Sin r = GC / AC –––––– (ii)

Equation (i) ÷ (ii)

Sin i / Sin r = AD / GC

µ = AD /GC

AD = µGC

Now, path difference = µ (AB + BC) – AD = µ (AB + BC) – µGC = µ (AB + BC – GC)

Path difference = µ (BF + BC – GC) [because AB=BF]

= µ (FC – GC) = µ (FG)

Now, in triangle AFG,

cos r = FG / AF

FG = AF cos r

FG = 2t cos r [because AF = AE +EF = t + t]

Where t is the thickness of the thin film

Thus,

Path difference = 2μt Cos r.

Thin-film Interference Soap Bubble

When we take a soap bubble, light waves travel through the air and hit the soap film. If
we look at the refractive index of air, it is 1(nair = 1), whereas the film will have an index
larger than 1 (nfilm > 1).
On the other hand, a 180° phase shift will be introduced in the reflected wave. It takes
place at the upper boundary of the film. The shift occurs mainly because of the lower
refractive index of the air than that of the film.

Further, light from the upper air-film interface will keep moving to the lower film-air
interface, where it is reflected. Here, the phase of the reflected wave is not changed.

Thin-film Interference Problems and Solutions

1. A thin film of soap solution is illuminated by white light at an angle of incidence
i = sin-1(4/5). In the reflected light, two dark consecutive overlapping fringes are
observed corresponding to wavelengths 6.1 x 10-7 m and 6.0 x 10-7 m. The
refractive index for soap solution is 4/3. Calculate the thickness of the film.

Given, µ = 4/3, λ1 = 6.1 x 10-7 m λ2 = 6.0 x 10-7 m

Solution:

Sin i = 4/5

µ = Sin i / Sin r

Sin r = sin i / µ = ⅘ / 4/3

= sin r = ⅗ = 0.6

cos r = √1 – sin2r = 0.8

Given two consecutive fringes are overlapping,

nλ1 = (n + 1)λ2

= nλ1 – nλ2 = λ2

= n = λ2 / λ1 – λ2 = 6.0 x 10-7 / 6.1 x 10-7 – 6.0 x 10-7

= 60

Now, 2μt Cos r = nλ1

t = nλ1 / 2μ Cos r = 60 x 6.1 x 10-7 / 2 x (4/3) x 0.8

t = 1.72 x 10-5 m = 1.72 x 10-2 mm

2. A soap film of refractive index 1.33 is illuminated by the light of wavelength at

an angle of 45 degrees. There is complete destructive interference. Find the
thickness of the film.

Given

Refractive index = 1.33, i = 45°,

Solution:

µ = Sin i / Sin r

Sin r = sin i / µ = Sin 45 / 1.33 = (1 /√2) / 1.33

= 1/(√2) (1.33)

Sin r = 0.5317

cos r = √1 – sin2r = 0.8496

For destructive interference

2μt Cos r = nλ

2 x 1.33 x t x 0.8469 = 1 x 5890 x 10-10 Å

t = 5890 x 10-10 / 2 x 1.33 x t x 0.8469

= 2.61410-4 mm

3. The refractive index of the thin soap film of uniform thickness is 1.4. Find the
smallest thickness of the film that gives on the interference maximum in the
reflected light of wavelength 5460 amstrong fall at normal incidence.

Solution:

Maximum interference in the reflected light, in the case of thin-film interference, is

expressed as
2μtcosr=(2n−1)λ2

μ = Refractive index of the film relative to the surrounding

t = Thickness of film and

r = Angle of refraction
For normal incidence, r=0

2μt=(2n−1)λ2

, n=0,1,2….

For minimum thickness, n=1

2μtmin=λ2

tmin=λ4μ

tmin = 975.

Is thin-film interference constructive or destructive?

Thin-film interference can be constructive or destructive. Constructive interference happens
when waves from the source travel in phase. When these two waves meet, they form a wave with
a larger amplitude, which manifests as a bright spot. Destructive interference, on the other hand,
occurs when two out-of-phase light waves meet and cancel each other out. It produces zero
amplitude and manifests as a dark spot.
What is thin film interference in physics?
Thin-film interference occurs when light is reflected on both the top and bottom surfaces of a
thin film. For it to occur, the thickness of the film should have the same size as the wavelength of
light. It is responsible for several phenomena such as the colorful patterns observed on a soap
bubble or the rainbow-colored swirls on a thin layer of oil or gasoline on wet pavement.
Thin-film interference occurs when light is reflected on both the top and bottom surfaces of a
thin film. It is responsible for several phenomena such as the colorful patterns observed on a
soap bubble or the rainbow-colored swirls on a thin layer of oil or gasoline on wet pavement
(Figure 1). For it to occur, the thickness of the film should have the same size as the wavelength
of light. Interference of light becomes less prominent when the thickness of the film is greater
than the wavelength of light. The series of brightly colored swirls is a product of interference,
specifically, constructive interference produces bright spots or bands, while destructive
interference results in dark or murky regions.

Figure 1. A thin layer of oil on wet pavement produces colorful patterns due to interference.
How Does It Work?
Interference of light occurs when two or more light waves meet, resulting in an increase or
decrease in the wave's amplitude. It has two types: constructive and destructive
interference. Constructive interference happens when waves from the source travel in phase,
such that the crest (or trough) of one wave arrives at the same time as the crest of another wave
(Figure 2). When these two waves meet, they form a wave with a larger amplitude, which
manifests as a bright spot. The point in an interference pattern where two crests or two troughs of
different waves meet each other is called the maxima. The path difference or the difference in
the distances traveled by the waves for constructive interference to occur is equal to one
wavelength (or any whole number of wavelengths). Destructive interference, on the other hand,
takes place when two light waves are out of phase, specifically, when the path difference is one-
half wavelength and its multiples (e.g., 3/2λ, 5/2λ, and so on). Since the crest of one wave meets
the trough of another wave, their superimposition produces zero amplitude and is manifested as a
dark spot. The term minima is used to describe the point in an interference pattern where the
crest of one wave meet the trough of another.

Figure 2. Constructive and destructive interference

How does thin-film interference work? Consider a thin film of oil above a layer of water, as
shown in Figure 3. For this example, assume that the refractive index of oil is less than that of
water and that the incident light has a single wavelength. Part of the incident light is reflected at
the air-oil boundary (ray 1) and a part of that transmitted light is reflected at the oil-water
boundary (ray 2). If the path difference between rays 1 and 2 is equal to one wavelength or any
whole number, then the waves will reach the observer's eye in phase and undergo constructive
interference. Thus, the thin film's surface will appear bright to the observer. However, if the path
difference between the two rays is one-half of a wavelength or any of its multiples, the rays will
be out of phase upon reaching the observer and undergo destructive interference. The film's
surface will then appear dark and show no reflection.
 Figure 3. Thin-film interference

Q1

What affects thin-film interference?

The thin-film interference depends on the thickness of the film, light wavelength and refractive
indices.
Q2

What is thin-film interference?

The phenomenon of thin-film interference occurs when a light wave is reflected off two surfaces
at a distance equal to its wavelength. We witness varied coloured patterns as light waves
reflecting off the top and bottom surfaces interfere with one another.
Q3

What gives colour to soap bubbles and oil spills?

The emergence of multiple colours of light from soap bubbles and oil films, after reflection, is
due to thin-film interference.