Interference of Light waves

A. Karle Physics 202 Dec. 4, 2007 Chapter 37 and Chapter 38.1-3

Wave Optics
Wave optics is a study concerned with phenomena that cannot be adequately explained by geometric (ray) optics These phenomena include:
Interference Diffraction Polarization

PART I
37.1 Introduction 37. 2 Double slit 37. 3 (maxima, minima, high level only) 37. 5 Phase change, 37. 6 Interference on thin films 37. 7 Applications, Michelson interferometer

Interference
In constructive interference the amplitude of the resultant wave is greater than that of either individual wave In destructive interference the amplitude of the resultant wave is less than that of either individual wave All interference associated with light waves arises when the electromagnetic fields that constitute the individual waves combine

Conditions for Interference

To observe interference in light waves, the following two conditions must be met:
1) The sources must be coherent
They must maintain a constant phase with respect to each other

2) The sources should be monochromatic

Monochromatic means they have a single wavelength

Producing Coherent Sources

Light from a monochromatic source is used to illuminate a barrier The barrier contains two narrow slits
The slits are small openings

Diffraction
From Huygenss principle we know the waves spread out from the slits This divergence of light from its initial line of travel is called diffraction

The light emerging from the two slits is coherent since a single source produces the original light beam This is a commonly used method

Youngs Double-Slit Experiment: Schematic

Thomas Young first demonstrated interference in light waves from two sources in 1801 The narrow slits S1 and S2 act as sources of waves The waves emerging from the slits originate from the same wave front and therefore are always in phase

Resulting Interference Pattern

The light from the two slits forms a visible pattern on a screen The pattern consists of a series of bright and dark parallel bands called fringes Constructive interference occurs where a bright fringe occurs Destructive interference results in a dark fringe

Interference Patterns

Interference Equations
For bright fringes

For dark fringes

Uses for Youngs Double-Slit Experiment

Youngs double-slit experiment provides a method for measuring wavelength of the light This experiment gave the wave model of light a great deal of credibility
It was inconceivable that particles of light could cancel each other in a way that would explain the dark fringes

Phasor Diagrams for Two Coherent Sources, Diagrams

Constructive Interference 3 Rays

L

Destructive Interference 3 Rays

L

1 d d All 3 rays are interfering constructively at the point shown. If the intensity from ray 1 is I0 , what is the combined intensity of all 3 rays? 1) I0 2) 3 I0 3) 9 I0 Each slit contributes amplitude Eo at screen. Etot = 3 Eo. But I ! E2. Itot = (3E0)2 = 9 E02 = 9 I0 2 3 d
!

1 2 3
!

dsin! =

" 2

these add to zero this one is still there!

When rays 1 and 2 are interfering destructively, is the intensity from the three rays a minimum? 1) Yes 2) No Rays 1 and 2 completely cancel, but ray 3 is still there. Expect intensity I = 1/9 Imax

Multiple Slit Interference

(Diffraction Grating)
L

9I0

Three slit interference

1 d 2

!
d d

3 4 Path length difference 1-2 Path length difference 1-3 Path length difference 1-4 = d sin" =# = 2d sin" =2# = 3d sin" =3#

I0

Constructive interference for all paths when

dsin! = m"

! 3

! 2

2! 3

dsin! =

! 3

! 2

2! 3

Three Slits, Phasor Diagrams

Multiple-Slits, Intensity Graphs

The primary maxima are nine times more intense than the secondary maxima
The intensity varies as ER 2

For N slits, the primary maxima is N 2 times greater than that due to a single slit

Phase Changes Due To Reflection

Interference in Thin Films

Ray 1: phase change of 180

Case 1:
n2 > n1 phase change of 180
Ray 2: no phase change

Ray 2 also travels an additional distance of 2t before the waves recombine For constructive interference
2nt = (m + 1/2)! ) (m = 0, 1, 2

Case 2:
n2 < n1 No phase change

For destructive interference

2nt = m! (m = 0, 1, 2 )

10

Interference in Thin Films

If the thin film is between two different media, one of lower index than the film and one of higher index, the conditions for constructive and destructive interference are reversed With different materials on either side of the film, you may have a situation in which there is a 180o phase change at both surfaces or at neither surface
Be sure to check both the path length and the phase change

Newtons Rings, Set-Up and Pattern

11

Michelson Interferometer
The interferometer was invented by an American physicist, A. A. Michelson The interferometer splits light into two parts and then recombines the parts to form an interference pattern The device can be used to measure wavelengths or other lengths with great precision

Michelson Interferometer, Schematic

A ray of light is split into two rays by the mirror Mo

The mirror is at 45o to the incident beam The mirror is called a beam splitter

It transmits half the light and reflects the rest

12

Michelson Interferometer, Schematic Explanation, cont.

The reflected ray goes toward mirror M1 The transmitted ray goes toward mirror M2 The two rays travel separate paths L1 and L2 After reflecting from M1 and M2, the rays eventually recombine at Mo and form an interference pattern

Michelson Interferometer Operation

The interference condition for the two rays is determined by their path length difference M1 is moveable As it moves, the fringe pattern collapses or expands, depending on the direction M1 is moved The fringe pattern shifts by one-half fringe each time M1 is moved a distance ! /4 The wavelength of the light is then measured by counting the number of fringe shifts for a given displacement of M1

13

Michelson Interferometer Applications

The Michelson interferometer was used to disprove the idea that the Earth moves through an ether One modern application is:
Laser Interferometer GravitationalWave Observatory (LIGO)

Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory

General relativity predicts the existence of gravitational waves In Einsteins theory, gravity is equivalent to a distortion of space
These distortions can then propagate through space

The LIGO apparatus is designed to detect the distortion produced by a disturbance that passes near the Earth

14

LIGO
The interferometer uses laser beams with an effective path length of several kilometers At the end of an arm of the interferometer, a mirror is mounted on a massive pendulum When a gravitational wave passes, the pendulum moves, and the interference pattern due to the laser beams from the two arms changes Relative resolution for a change in length: 10-18m, that is about the size of an electron (10-8 of the size of an atom) per km.

LIGO in Richland, Washington

15

Diffraction, topics from Ch. 38

PART II Chapter 38:
38.1 Introduction 38.2 (without phasor diagrams) 38.3 (use Lecture and homework problems as reference to define material for exam)

Diffraction/ Huygens
Every point on a wave front acts as a source of tiny wavelets that move forward. JAVA

Light waves originating at different points within opening travel different distances to wall, and can interfere! We see maxima and minima on the wall.

16

Central maximum

Fraunhofer Diffraction Pattern

A Fraunhofer diffraction pattern occurs when the rays leave the diffracting object in parallel directions Screen very far from the slit Could be accomplished by a converging lens

1st minima

17

Diffraction Pattern, Single Slit

The diffraction pattern consists of the central maximum and a series of secondary maxima and minima The pattern is similar to an interference pattern

Diffraction vs. Diffraction Pattern

Diffraction refers to the general behavior of waves spreading out as they pass through a slit A diffraction pattern is actually a misnomer that is deeply entrenched
The pattern seen on the screen is actually another interference pattern The interference is between parts of the incident light illuminating different regions of the slit

18

Single-Slit Diffraction
According to Huygenss principle, each portion of the slit acts as a source of light waves Therefore, light from one portion of the slit can interfere with light from another portion Wave 1 travels farther than wave 3 by an amount equal to the path difference
(a/2) sin "

Quiz 1
A single slit of width W has light of a certain wavelength incident. If the width W is decreased, which of the following is true?
The diffraction pattern of the slit on a screen will get narrower. The diffraction pattern of the slit on a screen will get broader.

If this path difference is exactly half of a wavelength, the two waves cancel each other and destructive interference results In general, destructive interference occurs for a single slit of width a when

sin " dark = m ! / a

m = 1, 2, 3,

19

Diffraction Summary
Condition for halves of slit to destructively interfere

Quiz 2
A laser is shone through a very small hole onto a screen. If the diameter of the hole were decreased, the laser spot on the screen would...
get bigger. get smaller.

# sin(" ) = D

Condition for quarters of slit to sin(" ) = 2 # destructively interfere D Condition for sixths of slit to destructively interfere !

sin(" ) = 3

# D

Dsin " = m#

(m=1, 2, 3, )

! THIS FORMULA LOCATES MINIMA!! Narrower slit => broader pattern

20

Quiz
A laser is shone through a very small hole onto a screen. Which drawing correctly depicts the pattern of light on the screen?
1 2 3 4

Diffraction from Circular Aperture

1st diffraction minimum
" Diameter D

Central maximum

light

Maxima and minima will be a series of bright and dark rings on screen First diffraction minimum is at sin! = 1.22

" D

21

Intensity from Circular Aperture

! D First diffraction minima

1.22
sin !

These objects are just resolved Two objects are just resolved when the maximum from one is at the minimum of the other.

22

Quiz
Astronaut Joe is standing on a distant planet with binary suns. He wants to see them but knows its dangerous to look straight at them. So he decides to build a pinhole camera by poking a hole in a card. Light from both suns shines through the hole onto a second card. But when the camera is built, Astronaut Joe can only see one spot on the second card! To see the two suns clearly, should he make the pinhole larger or smaller? Larger Smaller

Resolving Power Question

sin!min " !min = 1.22 # D

How does the maximum resolving power of your eye change when the brightness of the room is decreased. 1) Increases 2) Constant 3) Decreases

When the light is low, your pupil dilates (D can increase by factor of 10!)

23

Recap
Huygens Principle: Each point on wave front acts as coherent source and can interfere. Interference: Coherent waves Full wavelength difference = Constructive ! wavelength difference = Destructive Multiple Slits (2 or more slits with separation d) Constructive d sin(") = m # (m=1,2,3) More slits = brighter max, darker mins Single Slit: Destructive: D sin(") = m # (m=1,2,3) Resolution: Max from 1 at Min from 2

24