PYL 115: Applied Optics

Tutorial Sheet-II
Interference

1. Two waves E1  A cos[t  k ( x  z ) 2 ] and E2  A cos[t  k ( x  z ) 2 ] are simultaneously

propagating through a medium. Obtain the planes of intensity maxima and minima.
2. Two coherent plane waves, moving at angle  with respect to each other, are incident on a screen,
placed normal to one of them. They form bright-and-dark fringes on the screen. If the separation
between two bright fringes is 1 mm and the wavelength of each of the waves is 633 nm, estimate the
angle . Ans:   0.036 
3. In the Young's double-slit experiment, fringes are formed using sodium light, which predominantly
comprises of two lines at 589.0nm and 589.6nm. Obtain the regions on the screen where the fringe pattern
will disappear. You may assume d = 5 mm and D = 20 cm. Ans:  1.1 cm from central fringe
4. In the double-slit experiment using white light, consider two points on the screen, one corresponding to
a path difference of 500nm and the other corresponding to a path difference of 4000nm. Find the
wavelengths (in the visible region) which correspond to (i) constructive- and (ii) destructive
interference. What will be the colour of these two points? Ans: For 500nm: (i) constructive :
500nm; (ii) destructive: none; for 4000 nm: (i) constructive : 400nm, 444.4nm, 500nm, 571.4nm, 666.7 nm
(ii) destructive : 421nm, 470.6nm, 533.3nm, 615.4nm, 727.2nm
5. Consider the arrangement shown in the figure where S1 and
S2 are two coherent sources. Derive the expression for the 0.1mm P
radius of the nth dark ring. Let 0 = 500 nm. Is the point O O
S1 S2
bright or dark? If P is on the second dark ring, calculate the 20 cm
distance S1P – S2P in centimeters to 7 decimal places. Calculate
the radii of the first three dark rings.
6. A glass plate of refractive index 1.6 is in contact with another glass plate of refractive index 1.8 along a
line such that a wedge of 0.5 is formed. Light of wavelength 500nm is incident nearly vertically on the
wedge and the reflected light is viewed from the top. Calculate the fringe spacing. The whole
apparatus is then immersed in oil of refractive index 1.7. What will be the difference in the fringe
pattern and what will be the new fringe-width? Ans: .0286 mm, .0169 mm
7. A transparent film has a thickness of 0.00325 cm, and a refractive index of 1.40. Find – (a) the order of
interference m at  = 0, and (b) the first four angles at which red light of wavelength 650nm will form
bright fringes in the reflected light? Ans: a) 140, b) 4.84, 8.39, 10.84 and 12.84
8. Consider a nonreflecting film of refractive index 1.38. Assume that its thickness is 40nm. Calculate the
wavelengths (in the visible region) for which the film will be non-reflecting. Repeat the calculations for the
thickness of the film to be 200nm. Show that the both the films will be non-reflecting for a particular
wavelength but only the former one will be suitable for that wavelength. Why? Ans: 552 nm
9. A microscope lens of refractive index 1.55 is to be coated with a MgF2 film (n = 1.38) to increase
transmission of normally incident yellow light (0 = 550nm). What should be the minimum thickness of
the film deposited on the lens? Ans: 99.6 nm
10. A soap film surrounded by air has an index of refraction of 1.34. If a region of the film appears orange-
red in colour, say of  = 633 nm, in the light reflected normally, what is the minimum thickness there?
Ans: 118 nm
11. A glass lens of refractive index 1.5630 is to be nonreflecting on both surfaces for green light of
wavelength 550nm. What should be (a) the refractive index of a surface coating material, and (b) its
thickness, to produce zero percent reflectance?