Interference
❑Contents
1. Introduction
▪ Basic Definitions of Interference
▪ Principle of superposition
2. Young’s double-slit experiment
▪ Interference of light waves
▪ Order of interference fringes
▪ Spacing between interference fringes
▪ Conditions for permanent interference
3. Interference in Thin-Films
▪ Theory
▪ Conditions for brightness and darkness
▪ Colours production by thin-film
4. Applications
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1. Introduction
➢Interference
It is a phenomenon in which two waves interact with each other to form a
resultant wave of greater or lower amplitude.
3
Crest : the highest point of a wave
Trough: the lowest point of a wave
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The basic constants of a wave motion are:
Amplitude (A): is the maximum displacement of a particle from its
mean position
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Wavelength (λ): the distance between two successive crests or
between two successive troughs
• •
λ
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Frequency (f ): is the number of complete vibration during
one second
•unit of measurement is hertz (Hz) = 1/sec =sec-1.
1 second
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•note
Frequency and wavelength are inversely related
•Long wavelength = Low frequency
•Short wavelength = High Frequency
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The periodic time (T): The time required to the point to make one
complete cycle
Period (T)= 1/frequancy sec
Frequency(f) =1/period Hertz =1/sec= sec-1
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Wave speed
•The speed is the distance traveled (one wavelength) divided
by the time it takes (one period).
C = fλ
Where
C = velocity of propagation (m/s)
λ = wavelength (m)
f = frequency (Hz) or (1/sec) or sec-1
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Superposition of waves
Law of Superposition:
The displacement of any medium particle at a given position and time is the
algebraic sum of the displacements of the individual waves moving through the
medium.
a
a+b
Resultant Wave 1
a-b Resultant Wave
a
Amplitude
Amplitude
1
b
2
0
0
2
b
Waves 1 ,2 are of the same frequency but of are different amplitudes, say a and b
a
1
Amplitude
Resultant Wave
0
2
b
If a=b , then the resultant amplitude is zero
TYPES OF INTERFERENCE
a-Constructive interference: when two waves having the same frequency and
amplitude are in phase , as in (a) and (b) , the resultant waves when they
combine (c) has the same frequency as the individual wave but twice their
amplitude
▪The two waves are In-phase
▪path diff.= 0, λ , 2 λ ,3 λ ….nλ
or
▪phase diff. = 0, 2π ,4π ,…
a-Constructive interference
b-Destructive interference: when two waves having the same frequency and
amplitude are 180 0 out of phase, as in (a) and (b) , the resultant waves when
they combine (c) is complete cancellation
▪The two waves are out of phase
▪path diff.= λ/2, 3 λ/2, 5 λ/2,… (2n-1) λ/2
or
▪phase diff. = π, 3π, 5π,…
b-Destructive interference
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2. Young’s double-slit experiment
➢ One of the earliest experiments showed that light can produce Interference
from two sources and firstly demonstrated by Thomas Young in 1800.
➢ Two coherent sources were derived from single source by illuminating two
fine slits (S1 and S2) by monochromatic light source (S)
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➢At point Bo the waves from S1, S2 arrive with
path difference = zero (Central bright band)
or [Central Maxima]
➢At points D1, D1Ꞌ the waves from S1, S2
arrive with path difference = /2
(first order dark band).
or [First order Minima]
➢At points B1 & B1Ꞌ where the waves from S1 & S2
arrive with path difference =
(first order bright band).
or [First order Maxima] Band ≡ Fringe
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In general
➢ For nth order bright fringe
The path difference = nλ, where n = 0, 1, 2,3 …..
➢For nth order dark fringe
The path difference = (2n-1) λ /2 , where n = 1, 2,3, ….[not zero]
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2. Young’s double-slit experiment
➢ Theory of interference
D>>2d
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➢For constructive interference:
(bright bands)
➢For destructive interference
(dark bands)
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➢The distance between two successive bands of the same type:
e.g. the nth bright fringe and the (n-1)th bright fringe
➢Similarly for two successive dark fringes:
➢So that, the spacing between two successive similar fringes (W) is:
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➢So that, the spacing between two successive similar fringes (W) is:
W → also equals to the interference “band width”
➢ Remarks
1) W directly proportional to the distance between the screen and
the double-slit (D).
2) W directly proportional to the light wavelength (λ); e.g. red
bands will be twice the bands of violet bands.
3) W inversely proportional to the double-slit spacing (2d). The
closer the slits, wider are the bands.
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2. Young’s double-slit experiment
❑ Conditions for permanent interference
1) The two sources must emit continuous waves of the same wavelength λ and
the same period time T.
➢ Otherwise, the illumination at any point will be changing with time.
2) The waves must be emitted two coherent sources, i.e. start in phase or with
constant phase.
➢ Otherwise , variable interference pattern will be obtained.
3) The two coherent sources must be close to each other.
➢ Otherwise , the interference fringe will be so fine (small) to be noticed.
4) The two coherent sources must be extremely small-fine slits to avoid the
interference between the different parts of the same source.
5) The amplitude of the waves emitted by the two sources must be equal.
➢ Otherwise, no complete dark bands would be produced
6) The two coherent sources should emit monochromatic light
➢ If white light is used, the interference patterns produced by each
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different colors will overlap and producing a white light
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Light of wavelength 530 nm illuminates a pair of slits separated by
0.3mm. If a screen is placed 2m from the slits, determine the
distance between the first and second dark fringes.
3. Interference in Thin-Films
➢Interference effects are commonly observed in thin-films, such
as thin layers of oil on water or the thin surface of a soap
bubble.
➢The varied colours observed when white light is incident on
such films result from the interference of waves reflected from
the two surfaces of the film.
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Optical path length
Glass
➢ The glass sheet equivalent air thickness = μ t
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➢If light rays traveling in air are nearly normal to the two surfaces
of the film as shown:
➢Geometric path difference= 2t
➢Optical path difference = 2μt
If
2μt =nλ → darkness
And
2μt =(2n-1)λ/2→ brightness
➢The interference conditions are reversed due to the extra (λ/2) corresponding
to the 180° phase change upon reflection from denser medium 28
➢Now, if the light incident makes an incidence angle (i) with the normal?
➢ For Brightness
➢ For Darkness
➢The interference conditions are reversed due to the extra (λ/2) corresponding
to the 180° phase change upon reflection from denser medium 29
➢For transmitted light
➢ It has been found that fringes due to transmitted light are complementary to
C
those due to reflected light. 1800
A F PhaseSchange
K
i i
i E
B N R
r
t
r r
D H
L M No
Phase change
➢This is because conditions of brightness and darkness for the
reflected rays are just opposite to those for transmitted rays at same
path difference.
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➢Remarks
(1) If the film is very thin (t is negligible):
1800
Phase change
➢ Hence the rays will produce destructive interference and the
film will appear dark by reflected light.
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(2) If the incident light is monochromatic and parallel, and if the film is
parallel-sided: C
A F
i i
i E
B N
r
t
r r
➢the whole film will either appear uniformly dark or bright.
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(3) If the incident light is monochromatic and parallel but the film of
varying thickness (wedge-shaped):
➢Then for certain thicknesses of the film constructive interference
will be produced and for other thicknesses of the film destructive
interference will be produced. Hence, we will see alternate bright
and dark bands.
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(4) Suppose that the incident light is white and parallel and the film is
parallel-sided:
➢ The film will pass through (shows) various colours.
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(5) If the incident light is white light and not parallel but and the film is of
variable thickness:
➢The path difference will change due to change in r & λ & t. Hence,
the film will show different colours when viewed from different
directions.
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➢The beautiful colours seen in many of day-life are due to interference
between light rays.
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➢Antireflection Coating
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