EE5500 Introduction to Photonics/NPTEL Jul - Nov 2022
Assignment 2
Week 2
1. Two light sources may be declared to be coherent with respect to each other if the light [1]
waves emitted have _________.
A. same velocity
B. same frequency
C. same intensity
D. constant phase difference
Solution:
Two waves are said to be coherent when they have a constant relative phase or when they
have zero or constant phase difference and the same frequency/wavelength.
(Both collimated and non-collimated waves are coherent if they have same frequency and
constant relative phase difference).
2. The intensity of the two coherent waves is I0. What is the resultant intensity if the two waves [1]
undergo constructive and destructive interference respectively?
A. 0, I_0
B. I_0, I_0
C. 2I_0, 4I_0
D. 4I_0, 0
Solution:
Total interference intensity is It = I1 + I2 + 2√𝐼1𝐼2cos
For constructive interference, the phase difference between two waves is even
integral multiple of , i.e., cos = 1 which gives It = 4I_0.
For destructive interference, the phase difference between two waves is odd
integral multiple of , i.e., cos = -1 which gives It = 0.
EE5500 Introduction to Photonics Jul - Nov 2022
3. Temporal coherence of an optical source can be improved by _________. [1]
A. Spectral filters
B. Spatial filters
C. Polarization filters
D. Prisms
Solution:
Temporal coherence depends on how similar the frequencies and therefore the wavelengths
(or spectral width) of light waves.
4. Spatial coherence of diffused light source can be improved by suitable optical systems consisting [1]
of lens and filters at the expense of its ___________.
A. temporal coherence
B. polarization
C. intensity
D. phase
Solution:
The intensity of diverged/diffused light will be lost by filtering in order to improve spatial
coherence.
Total interference intensity of light waves is
It = 2I0(1+|g12|cos)
where g12 refers the degree of coherence which is inversely proportional to intensity.
Page 2
EE5500 Introduction to Photonics Jul - Nov 2022
5. Statement-1: Temporal coherence of light can be estimated by Michelson interferometer. [1]
Statement-2: Young’s double slit experiment can be used to quantify the spatial coherence
of the light source.
A. 1-False, 2-True
B. 1-False, 2-False
C. 1-True, 2-False
D. 1-True, 2-True
Solution:
1. In a Michelson interferometer, a light beam is split in two by a beam splitter, and the two
beams propagate over different distances which corresponds to a time difference and
then interfere at the detector.
2. In Young’s double slit experiment, as two slits are illuminated by the same light source,
there will be a fixed phase relation between the emitted waves making them spatially
coherent (causing interference).
6. Assertion: Using Mach-Zehnder interferometer, refractive index of unknown materials can [1]
be estimated.
Reason: In a Differential Path interferometer, relative phase shift between light travelling in
two different paths is measured.
A. Both Assertion and Reason are correct and Reason is correct explanation of
Assertion
B. Both Assertion and Reason are correct and Reason is not correct explanation of
Assertion
C. Assertion is correct but Reason is wrong
D. Both Assertion and Reason are wrong
Solution:
Total interference intensity is It = 2I0(1+cos), where = 1 - 2 = phase difference
between two paths of interferometer.
In Mach-Zehnder interferometer, phase difference = (n1L1 - n2L2), where is
illuminated wavelength, n1 & n2 are refractive indices of two different paths, L1 & L2 are
path lengths.
Page 3
EE5500 Introduction to Photonics Jul - Nov 2022
7. Configuration Name [1]
i. a. Sagnac Interferometer
ii. b. Michelson Interferometer
iii. c. Fabry-Perot Interferometer
iv. d. Mach-Zehnder Interferometer
A. i-c, ii-a, iii-b, iv-d
B. i-b, ii-d, iii-c, iv-a
C. i-d, ii-c, iii-a, iv-b [1]
D. i-a, ii-b, iii-d, iv-c
8. If light of wavelength 6600 A0 has a coherence length of 20, then its coherence time is
______4.4 x 10-14______ seconds. (Use scientific notation: 3.2e-10, one decimal accuracy).
Solution:
= 6600 A0, Lc = 20
Coherence length Lc = 20 x 6600 x 10-10 = 13.2 m
We know that Lc = CTc
. ^
Coherence time Tc = = ^
= 4.4 x 10-14 sec
Page 4
EE5500 Introduction to Photonics Jul - Nov 2022
9. A Michelson Interferometer is illuminated with a monochromatic light. One of its mirrors is then [1]
moved 2.25 x 10-5 m, and it is observed that 94 fringe-pairs, bright and dark, pass by in the
process. Determine the wavelength of the incident beam.
A. 475 nm
B. 478.72 nm
C. 463.25 nm
D. 482 nm
Solution:
In Michelson interferometer, the differential path for maximum interference is d = n, with
‘n’ number of fringes.
If one of the mirrors is moved by ‘x’ distance, then the path change is ‘2x’.
Therefore, d + 2x = (n + N)
2x = N, x = N
Hence, a motion of /2 causes a single fringe-pair to shift past.
( . )
= = = 478.72 nm
10.A Fabry Perot Filter made up of two mirrors placed in a medium of refractive index of 1.33257.
For the selection of 650 nm wavelength the minimum etalon distance must be __243.89__ nm.
(Answer with two decimal accuracy). [1]
Solution:
In Fabry-Perot interferometer, the spectral range = , where d is distance between the
mirrors, n is the refractive index of the medium in which etalon is placed.
d=
which is d = [since = ]
Therefore, d =
( . )
= 243.89 nm
Page 5