Wave Optics : Part 1

INTERFERENCE OF LIGHT WAVES

S2 ECA
Dr. RINKU JACOB
 TOPICS

• Interference of light - Principle of superposition of

waves – Coherence - Spatial and temporal
coherence - Conditions for constructive and
destructive interference –Reflection from rigid and
non-rigid surface–Interference of reflected waves
from thin films –Measurement of path difference
accounting for reflection and refraction –
Applications - Newton’s rings – Measurement of
wavelength and refractive index (with derivation),
Antireflection coatings.

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 What is Interference?
Interference refers to the effects obtained when
two or more light waves of same frequency and
amplitude with a constant phase difference
combine.
Redistribution of wave energy takes place.

➢ Certain areas become more intense

➢ Certain areas become less intense or dark.
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 What is Interference?

Alternate dark and bright regions are called

interference bands or interference fringes
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 Coherent Sources

Two sources are said to be coherent if they

emit waves of same amplitude, same
frequency and are always in same phase
with each other or maintaining constant
phase difference.

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 Coherent Sources
Amplitude, frequency
and phase are different
Not Coherent

Amplitude and frequency

are same, but phase not
constant in time
Not Coherent

Amplitude ,frequency and

phase are constant in time
Coherent
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 Spatial and Temporal Coherence

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 Spatial Coherence
Definition: Spatial coherence refers to the degree
of correlation in the phases of waveforms at
different points in space. In simpler terms, it
describes how well the waves maintain a consistent
relationship with each other as they propagate
through space.
Example: In optics, spatial coherence is crucial for
phenomena like interference. A laser beam, for
instance, exhibits high spatial coherence, resulting
in well-defined interference patterns.
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 Temporal Coherence
Definition: Temporal coherence, on the other hand,
pertains to the degree of correlation or consistency
in the phases of waveforms at different points in
time. It describes how well the waves maintain a
consistent relationship as they evolve over time.
Example: In optics, temporal coherence is
important for phenomena like interference in
Young's double-slit experiment. A light source with
high temporal coherence produces a stable
interference pattern.
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 Young’s Double slit Experiment

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 Young’s Double slit Experiment

Condition for Brightness : 𝜹 = 𝒏𝝀

𝝀
Condition for Darkness : 𝜹 = 𝟐𝒏 + 𝟏
𝟐
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Thin films
A thin film is a layer of material ranging from
fractions of nanometer to several micrometers
in thickness.

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Interference in Thin films

A thin film of oil on water A soap bubble (thin film)

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Interference in Thin films Reflected ray
Film viewed by reflected light C

Incident ray (λ) F

A P

i i i i
J
X X1
B E
r r
t μ
r r
Y Y1
G D

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Interference in Thin films Reflected ray
Film viewed by reflected light C

Incident ray (λ) F

A P

i i i i
J
X X1
B E
r r
t μ
r r
Y Y1
G D

Path difference between the waves BC and EF is

given by,
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 Reflected ray
C

Incident ray (λ) F

A P

i i J i
i
X B X1
r rE
t μ
rr
Y G Y1
D

Path difference between the waves BC and EF is

given by,

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 C

Incident ray (λ) F

A P

i i J i
i
X B X1
r rE
t μ
rr
Y G Y1
D

From

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 C

Incident ray (λ) F

A P

i i i
J i
X B X1
r rE
t μ
rr
Y G Y1
D

From
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 C

Incident ray (λ) F

A P

i i i
J i
X B X1
r rE
t μ
rr
Y G Y1
D

From

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 C

Incident ray (λ) F

A P

i i i
J i
X B X1
r rE
t μ
rr
Y G Y1
D

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 C

Incident ray (λ) F

A P

i i i
J i
X B X1
r rE
t μ
rr
Y G Y1
D

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 C

Incident ray (λ) F

A P

i i i
J i
X B X1
r rE
t μ
rr
Y G Y1
D

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 C

Incident ray (λ) F

A P

i i i
J i
X B X1
r rE
t μ
rr
Y G Y1
D

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 C

Incident ray (λ) F

A P

i i i
J i
X B X1
r rE
t μ
rr
Y G Y1
D

Path difference between the waves BC and EF is

given by,

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 Soft
surface Hard
surface

Phase change = π
Phase change = 0
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 C Phase change corresponds to λ/2

Incident ray (λ) F

A P

i i i Air (Rarer )
J i
X B X1
r rE Denser medium (thin film)
t μ
rr
Y G Y1
D
path difference,

When a ray passing through a rarer medium gets reflected

at a denser medium, a phase change π occurs. Hence the
reflected ray BC suffers a phase change of π which
corresponds to a path difference of λ/2.
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 C Phase change corresponds to λ/2

Incident ray (λ) F

A P

i i i
J i
X B X1
r rE
t μ
rr
Y G Y1
D
path difference,

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 C

Incident ray (λ) F

A P

i i i
J i
X B X1
r rE
t μ
rr
Y G Y1
D
path difference,

Total path difference,

 C

Incident ray (λ) F

A P

i i i
J i
X B X1
r rE
t μ
rr
Y G Y1
D

Total path difference,

In general, total path difference,

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Interference in Thin films
Film viewed by reflected light
Condition for brightness :
For brightness, the path difference should be

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Interference in Thin films
Film viewed by reflected light
Condition for darkness:
For destructive interference or darkness, the path
difference should be

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Interference in Thin films
Film viewed by reflected light
Condition for darkness:
Interference in Thin films
Film viewed by reflected light
Condition for brightness :

Condition for darkness:

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Newton’s Rings

Bright and Dark fringes

Newton’s Rings

If a plano-convex lens of large focal length placed on a

perfectly plane glass plate, a thin air film of varying thickness
will be enclosed between the glass plate and the lens. If this
is viewed by reflected monochromatic light, a series of
concentric bright and dark rings will be seen. These rings are
called Newton’s rings.
Newton’s Rings

• Thickness of film (air) is zero at point of contact of

the lens and glass plate
• When observed by reflected light, this point
appears dark.
• At this point there is no reflection of light, hence
the centre point is dark.
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Newton’s
Rings
Why Circular? Condition
for brightness :

t t t
t
O

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 Condition
for brightness :

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Newton’s Rings

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Newton’s Rings
Determination of radius of the nth ring

O r

H r t - Thickness of air film (DE)

t D
O E r - Radius of nth ring (OE)

R - Radius of curvature of lens

Newton’s Rings
Determination of radius of the nth ring
Condition for brightness :

Condition for darkness:

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Newton’s Rings
Determination of radius of the nth ring

For air, μ = 1 and for normal incidence, r = 0 or cos r = 1

Condition for brightness :

Condition for darkness:

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Newton’s Rings
Determination of radius of the nth ring

From right angled triangle CDH,

R
H r
t D
O E

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Newton’s Rings
Determination of radius of the nth ring

Since t is small, t2 can be

neglected
C

R
H r
t D
O E

If rn is the radius of nth ring, then,

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Newton’s Rings
Determination of radius of the nth ring
If rn is the radius of nth ring,
then,

R
H r For dark rings:
t D
E Condition for darkness:
O
If the nth dark ring is formed at E

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Newton’s Rings
Determination of radius of the nth ring
If the nth dark ring is formed at E

C
Radius of nth dark ring is,
R
H r ……(1)
t D
O E
Radius of (n+k)th dark ring is,

……(2)
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Newton’s Rings
Determination of radius of the nth ring
Radius of nth dark ring is, ……(1)

Radius of (n+k)th dark ring is, ……(2)

Eqn(2)-Eqn(1),

O rn
rn+k

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Newton’s Rings
Determination of radius of the nth ring

If Dn is the diameter of the nth dark ring,

Newton’s Rings - Application
Determination of refractive index of a liquid

Glass (lens)
Air film
Glass plate

If Dn and Dn+k are the diameters of the nth and (n+k)th

dark ring,

……(1)
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Newton’s Rings - Application
Determination of refractive index of a liquid
A drop of liquid of R.I. μ is placed between the lens and
glass plate. If D’n and D’n+k are the diameters of the nth
and (n+k)th dark ring,

Glass (lens)
Liquid film
Glass plate

……(2)
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Newton’s Rings - Application
Determination of refractive index of a liquid
Air film between lens and glass plate
……(1)

Liquid film between lens and glass plate

……(2)

Eqn (1)/ Eqn(2),

Newton’s Rings - Application
Determination of refractive index of a liquid

So, Refractive index of liquid,

Application of Interference
2. Antireflection coating
Without Antireflection coating
Incident ray (λ)

Glass

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Without AR coat With AR coat
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Application of Interference μ a< μ f < μ g

2. Antireflection coating
With Antireflection coating
Incident ray (λ)
Phase change = π
1

2 μa
Thin film μf t
Glass μg

Path difference, between ray 1 and ray 2

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Application of Interference μ a< μ f < μ g

2. Antireflection coating

Incident ray (λ)

Phase change = π
1

2 μa
Thin film μf t
Glass μg

Darkness condition :

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Application of Interference
2. Antireflection coating

Darkness condition :

For normal incidence,

With AR coat

For minimum thickness film required, n = 0

Application of Interference μ a< μ f < μ g

2. Antireflection coating
For minimum thickness film required, n = 0

For making reflectance of light as zero, amplitude of

reflecting rays from top and bottom surface of film
should be same. The condition for this is,

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Application of Interference
2. Antireflection coating

Incident ray (λ)

2 μa
Thin film μf t
Glass μg

For making reflectance of light as zero, amplitude of

reflecting rays from top and bottom surface of film
should be same. The condition for this is,

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