Shadow and diffraction

Shadow in large scale

Diffraction in much smaller scale
 What is diffraction of light
Lens Screen

𝑃
A 𝜃
c
B
c

Cc
𝑂
Dc

E
c
Example of diffraction
Example of diffraction
 Type of diffraction
Fresnel diffraction Fraunhofer diffraction
Difference between diffraction and interference

Interference

Diffraction
 Condition of diffraction
❖Diffraction is the slight bending of light as it passes near the edge
of an object.

❖ The amount of bending depends on the relative size of the

wavelength of light to the size of the opening.

❖ If the slit is much larger than the light's wavelength, the bending
will be almost unnoticeable. However, if the two are closer in size
or equal, the amount of bending is considerable, and easily seen
with the naked eye.

❖Slit/edge of the obstacle should be comparable to the wavelength

of light used
Diffraction experiment
 Fraunhofer diffraction at single slit
Slit Lens Screen
1′
A 𝜃 𝑃
1
′
𝑥
2
𝑎 𝐶 𝜃
𝜃
2
𝑂
3 ′
𝐷
𝜃
B 3

Path difference, ∆= 𝐵𝐷 = 𝐴𝐵 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 = 𝑎 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃

se𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑎𝑟𝑦 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑚𝑎, 𝑎 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 = ±𝑛𝜆
se𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑎𝑟𝑦 𝑚𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑚𝑎, 𝑎 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 = ± 2𝑛 + 1 𝜆/2
(where n = 1, 2, 3…. )
Fraunhofer Diffraction at circular slit
 Fraunhofer Diffraction at circular slit

Path difference, ∆= 𝐵𝐷 = 𝐴𝐵 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 = 𝑑 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃

se𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑎𝑟𝑦 𝑚𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑚𝑎, 𝑑 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 = 2𝑛 + 1 𝜆/2
se𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑎𝑟𝑦 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑚𝑎, 𝑑 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 = 𝑛𝜆
 Fraunhofer Diffraction at circular slit
When the lens is very close to the
slit, the focal length 𝑓 will be
distance between the source and
screen

F𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑓𝑖𝑔𝑢𝑟𝑒,
𝑥
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 ≈ 𝜃 = … … … (1)
𝑓

𝐹𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑠𝑡 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑚𝑢𝑚,

𝑑𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 ≈ 𝑑𝜃 = 𝜆
𝜆
𝜃 = … … … … … … … (2)
𝑑
From equation (1) and (2)
𝑥 𝜆 If W be the width of the central
=
𝑓 𝑑 maximum, one can write
𝑓𝜆 2𝑓𝜆
𝑥= 𝑊 = 2𝑥 =
𝑑 𝑑
Diffraction pattern
of a single slit of
width 0.5 cm is
formed by a lens of
focal length 40 cm.
calculate the
distance between
the first dark and
next bright fringe
from the axis.
Given λ = 4890 Å.
 Fraunhofer diffraction at single slit

Lens
𝐴 1
1
2
2
𝑎 3
3 𝑉
4
4
5
5
𝐵 Screen

Slit
 Diffraction due to diffracted rays

1 Lens
𝜃

2
𝑎
3
4
𝑃′
5
Screen

Slit
 Single slit diffraction - phasor diagram
2𝜋
∆𝜙 = ∆𝑥
A 𝜆
1 O
𝜃
2 𝜙 𝑄
𝑎 C 𝜙/2 5
3 𝑬𝜽
1 ∆𝜙
4 𝑼 4
𝜃 2 3 ∆𝜙
2 𝜙
5 3 1 ∆𝜙
B P T S
4
5 M N
𝐸𝑚
 Single slit diffraction - phasor diagram
❑The phase difference ∆𝜙 between two
successive diffracted waves
2𝜋
∆𝜙 = ∆𝑥
𝜆
Total path difference ∆= ∆𝑥 + ∆𝑥+……=AC
𝐴𝐶
From triangle ∆𝐴𝐵𝐶, 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 =
𝐴𝐵
Path difference , 𝐴𝐶 = 𝐴𝐵 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 = 𝑎𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃

2𝜋
total phase difference 𝜙 = 𝑎𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃
𝜆
𝜙 𝜋
𝐿𝑒𝑡 = α ∴ 𝛼 = 𝑎𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃
2 𝜆
𝐸𝜃 /2
𝐹𝑟𝑜𝑚 ∆𝑃𝑂𝑈, 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼 =
𝑅
⇒ 𝐸𝜃 = 2𝑅𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼 … … (1)
Where R is the radius of the arc.
 Single slit diffraction - phasor diagram
𝐹𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟 𝑂𝑃𝑄,
𝐿𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ 𝑜𝑓 𝑎𝑟𝑐 𝐸𝑚
𝜙= =
𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑢𝑠 𝑅
𝐸𝑚 𝐸𝑚
⇒𝑅= = ………. 2
𝜙 2𝛼
𝐹𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 2 ,
𝑅𝑒𝑠𝑢𝑙𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑑𝑒,
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼
𝐸𝜃 = 𝐸𝑚 R
𝛼
The intensity is
𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝛼
𝐼𝜃 = 𝐼𝑚 R
𝛼2
 Diffraction due to a single slit

(I) Central maxima

For the point P on the screen, 𝜃 = 0 , and hence 𝛼 = 0

𝜋𝑎 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃
=𝛼
𝜆
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼
The value of when 𝛼 → 0 is equal to 1.
𝛼
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼 2
Hence the intensity at point P is 𝐼 = 𝐼𝑜 = 𝐼𝑜
𝛼
 Diffraction due to a single slit
(II) Secondary maxima
The directions of secondary maxima are
given by the equation,
𝜆
𝑎𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 = 2𝑛 + 1 … … … . (9)
2
𝜆
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 = 2𝑛 + 1
2𝑎
Substituting the value of 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 in equation (7)
𝜋𝑎 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃
𝛼=
𝜆
𝜋𝑎 𝜆 2𝑛 + 1 𝜋
𝛼= × 2𝑛 + 1 =
𝜆 2𝑎 2
When 𝑛 = 1, 2,3 … … , 𝛼 =
3𝜋 5𝜋 7𝜋
, , ………..
2 2 2
 Diffraction due to a single slit
3𝜋
For the first secondary maximum, 𝛼 =
2
2
2 3𝜋 2
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼 𝑠𝑖𝑛 −1 4𝐼𝑜 𝐼𝑜
𝐼 = 𝐼𝑜 = 𝐼𝑜 2 = 𝐼𝑜 = 2=
𝛼 3𝜋 3𝜋 9𝜋 22
2 2
5𝜋
For the 2nd secondary maximum, 𝛼 =
2
2
2 5𝜋 2
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼 𝑠𝑖𝑛 1 4𝐼𝑜 𝐼𝑜
𝐼 = 𝐼𝑜 = 𝐼𝑜 2 = 𝐼𝑜 = =
𝛼 5𝜋 5𝜋 25𝜋 2 61
2 2
 Diffraction due to a single slit
(III) Secondary minima
The direction of secondary minima is given by
𝑎𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 = 𝑛𝜆
𝑛𝜆
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 =
𝑎
Substituting the value of 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 in equation (7)
𝜋𝑎 𝑛𝜆
𝛼= × = 𝑛𝜋
𝜆 𝑎
When 𝑛 = 1, 2,3 … … … , 𝛼 = 𝜋, 2𝜋, 3𝜋 … … …

When these values of 𝛼 are substituting in equation

𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼 2
𝐼= 𝐼𝑜 , we get 𝐼 = 0
𝛼
Diffraction due to double slit
 Mathematical problem related to single slit
1. A single slit of width 0.14 mm is illuminated normally by monochromatic light and
diffraction bands are observed on a screen 2m away. If the centre of the second dark band
is 1.6 cm from the middle of the central bright band, deduce the wavelength of light.

Solution:
Given 𝑎 = 0.14 𝑚𝑚 = 0.014 𝑐𝑚 ; 𝑑 = 2𝑚 = 200 𝑐𝑚 , 𝑛 = 2, 𝑥 = 1.6 𝑐𝑚

We know
𝑛𝜆
𝑎 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 ≈ 𝑎𝜃 = 𝑛𝜆 ⇒𝜃= … … … . (1)
𝑎
𝑥
We also know, 𝜃 = … … … … … (2)
𝑑
From equation (1) and (2)

𝑛𝜆 𝑥 2×𝜆 1.6
= ⇒ =
𝑎 𝑑 0.014 200
𝜆 = 5600 × 10−8 𝑐𝑚
2. In Fraunhofer diffraction due to a single slit, the screen is placed 2 m away from the slit.
If the slit width is 0.2 mm and the first minima lies 5 mm on either side of the central
maxima find the wave length of the incident light

Solve it.
 Mathematical problem related single slit
3. A single slit is illuminated by light composed of two wavelengths,
𝜆1 and 𝜆2 . One observes that due to Fraunhofer diffraction, the
first minima obtained for 𝜆1 coincides with the second diffraction
minima of 𝜆2 . What is the relation between 𝜆1 and 𝜆2 .
Solution:

the condition of minima is given by

𝑎 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 = 𝑛𝜆
For the wavelength 𝜆1 ; the position of first minima (n=1) is
𝑎 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃1 = 𝜆1 … … … . . (1)
For the wavelength 𝜆2 ; the position of the second minima (n=2) is
𝑎 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃2 = 2𝜆2 … … … … . (2)
It is given that the direction of first minima (𝜃1 ) due to 𝜆1
coincides with the second minima due to 𝜆2 , i.e. 𝜃1 = 𝜃2
Therefore from equation (1) and (2) , 𝑎 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 = 𝜆1 = 2𝜆2
𝜆1 = 2𝜆2
Online lecture 8
 Fraunhofer diffraction at double slit
𝐿
𝟏′
A 𝜃 1 𝑃ˊ
𝑎 𝟐′
B𝜃 𝜃 𝟐
𝑎+𝑏 𝑏 𝑂 𝐌 ′ 𝑃
𝜃 𝟑
C 𝟑
𝑎
′
𝜃 𝟒
4
Screen
𝐷
Interference maxima
In the ∆𝐴𝐶𝑀,
𝑎 + 𝑏 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 = 𝑛𝜆
𝐶𝑀 𝐶𝑀
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 = = [where n= 1, 2, 3, etc
𝐴𝐶 𝑎 + 𝑏 Interference minima
𝐶𝑀 = 𝑎 + 𝑏 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃
𝑎 + 𝑏 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 = 2𝑛 + 1 𝜆/2
 Fraunhofer diffraction at double slit
𝟏′
A 𝜃 1 𝑃ˊ
𝑎 𝟐′
𝐌
B𝜃 𝜃 𝟐
𝑎+𝑏 𝑏 𝑂 ′ 𝑃
𝜃 𝟑
C 𝟑
𝑎
′
𝜃 𝟒
4
Screen
𝐷
❑ The path difference between rays 𝟏′ and 𝟐′ is
𝐵𝑀 = 𝐴𝐵 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 = 𝑎𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃
❑ the condition of diffraction minima is
𝑎𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 = 𝑛𝜆 (where n = 1, 2, 3……. )
❑ the condition of diffraction maxima is
𝑎𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 = (2𝑛 + 1) 𝜆/2 (where n = 1, 2, 3……. )
 Fraunhofer diffraction at double slit
wave 1
A
𝑃
𝑎 𝐸 𝜃
B
𝑎+𝑏 𝑏 C 𝜃 M
wave 2

𝑎 𝐹
𝐷

𝑎 𝑎
𝐸𝐹 = 𝐸𝐵 + 𝐵𝐶 + 𝐶𝐹 = +𝑏+ =𝑎+𝑏
2 2
𝐹𝑀 𝐹𝑀
From the triangle ∆𝐸𝐹𝑀, 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 = = , ∴ 𝐹𝑀 = 𝑎 + 𝑏 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃
𝐸𝐹 𝑎+𝑏
𝑝𝑎𝑡ℎ 𝑑𝑖𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 , ∆ = 𝐹𝑀 = 𝑎 + 𝑏 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃
2𝜋
𝑃ℎ𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑑𝑖𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒, 𝜙 = 𝑎 + 𝑏 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 = 2𝛽 (𝑠𝑎𝑦)
𝜆
 Fraunhofer diffraction at double slit-intensity calculation
wave 1
Y
𝑎 𝐸 𝜃
𝐸𝜃 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼
𝐸𝑚
𝑎+𝑏 𝜙 𝛼
𝑏 wave 2
X 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼 Z
𝐸𝑚
𝑎 𝐹 𝛼
𝑋𝑌 2 = 𝑌𝑍 2 + 𝑍𝑋 2 + 2. 𝑌𝑍. 𝑍𝑋. cos 𝜙
2𝛼 2𝛼 2𝛼
𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑠𝑖𝑛
𝐸𝜃2 = 𝐸𝑚
2
2
+ 𝐸𝑚
2
2
+ 2𝐸𝑚
2
2
cos 𝜙
𝛼 𝛼 𝛼
2𝛼 2𝛼
2
𝑠𝑖𝑛 2
𝑠𝑖𝑛 2 𝜙/2
= 2𝐸𝑚 1 + cos 𝜙 = 2𝐸 𝑚 . 2𝑐𝑜𝑠
𝛼2 𝛼2
2𝛼
𝑠𝑖𝑛
∴ 𝐸𝜃2 = 4𝐸𝑚 2
2
𝑐𝑜𝑠 2
𝛽 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝛽 = 𝜙/2
𝛼
 Fraunhofer diffraction at double slit-intensity calculation
𝑠𝑖𝑛 2𝛼
𝑅𝑒𝑠𝑢𝑙𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑑𝑒, 𝐸𝜃2 = 4𝐸𝑚2 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2𝛽
𝛼2
2
2
𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝛼 2𝛽
𝑅𝑒𝑠𝑢𝑙𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝐼𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦, 𝐼 = 4𝐸𝑚 𝑐𝑜𝑠
𝛼2

𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝛼
2 → Gives diffraction pattern of individual slit.
𝛼
𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝛽 → Gives interference pattern due to diffracted
waves from two slits.
 Fraunhofer diffraction at double slit-intensity calculation
2
2 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝛼
The diffraction term𝐸𝑚 gives the central maximum in the direction 𝜃 = 0,
𝛼2
The secondary diffraction minima is given by
𝑎𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 = 𝑛𝜆
The secondary diffraction maxima are given by the equation,
𝜆
𝑎𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 = 2𝑛 + 1
2
Interference maxima:
Interference pattern becomes maximum, when 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝛽 = 1
cos 𝛽 = ±1 = cos(±𝑚𝜋)
𝛽 = ±𝑚𝜋
𝜙 𝜋
𝛽= = 𝑎 + 𝑏 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 = ±𝑚𝜋
2 𝜆
𝑎 + 𝑏 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 = ±𝑚𝜆
Interference minima:
Interference pattern becomes minimum, when 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝛽 = 0
cos 𝛽 = 0 = cos [ 2𝑚 + 1 𝜋/2]
𝛽 = 2𝑚 + 1 𝜋/2
𝜙 𝜋
𝛽= = 𝑎 + 𝑏 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 = ± 2𝑚 + 1 𝜋/2
2 𝜆
𝑎 + 𝑏 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 = ± 2𝑚 + 1 𝜆/2
 Fraunhofer diffraction at N-slits (Diffraction grating)
𝟏 𝑋

𝑆1 𝜃
𝑎 𝑃
𝑎+𝑏 𝟐
𝑏 𝜃 𝑴𝟏
𝑆2

𝟑
𝜃 𝑴𝟐
𝑆3
𝐶
𝒏−𝟏
𝜃
𝑆𝑛−1

𝒏
𝜃 Screen
𝑆𝑛
𝑴𝒏−𝟏

𝐿 𝑌
𝑆2 𝑀1 𝑎 𝑎
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 = ⇒ 𝑆2 𝑀1 = 𝑎 + 𝑏 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 [𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑆1 𝑆2 = + 𝑏 + = 𝑎 + 𝑏 ]
𝑆1 𝑆2 2 2
 Fraunhofer diffraction
Diffraction due to Natslits-Diffraction
N-slits (Diffractiongrating
grating)
❑ The path difference between the waves from S1 and S2 is 𝑆2 𝑀1 = 𝑎 + 𝑏 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃

❑ The path difference between the waves from S2 and S3 is 𝑆3 𝑀2 = 𝑎 + 𝑏 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃

❑ Similarly, the path difference between the waves from Sn-1 and Sn is

𝑆𝑛 𝑀𝑛−1 = 𝑎 + 𝑏 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃

2𝜋
❑ phase difference 𝜙= 𝑎 + 𝑏 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃
𝜆
 Fraunhofer diffraction at N-slits
Pn
a
b 𝜃
𝐸 Pn−1 1
2
C 𝑁𝜙
3
M 𝜙
𝜙
𝜙 n-1
P3
𝜙 𝜙
n
𝑁𝜙
𝐸𝜃 P2
𝜙
O 𝐸𝜃 𝑇 P1 𝑄 𝑅
2
 Diffraction due to N slits-Diffraction grating
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼
𝑂𝑃1 = 𝑃1 𝑃2 = ⋯ = 𝑃𝑛−1 𝑃𝑛 = 𝐸𝜃 = 𝐸𝑚
𝛼
∠𝑂𝐶𝑃1 = ∠𝑃1 𝐶𝑃2 = ⋯ = ∠𝑃𝑛−1 𝐶𝑃𝑛 = 𝜙
∠𝑂𝐶𝑃𝑛 = 𝑁𝜙
∠𝑂𝐶𝑇 = 𝜙/2
𝑂𝑃𝑛 = 𝐸 = 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑢𝑙𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑑𝑒
𝑂𝑀 = 𝐸/2
𝐶𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 ∆𝐶𝑂𝑇
𝜙 𝑂𝑇 𝐸𝜃 /2
sin = =
2 𝑂𝐶 𝑂𝐶
𝐸𝜃 𝜙
𝐶𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 ∆𝐶𝑂𝑀 = 𝑂𝐶 𝑠𝑖𝑛 … … . . (1)
2 2
𝑁𝜙 𝑂𝑀 𝐸/2
sin = = Dividing 2 𝑏𝑦 1
2 𝑂𝐶 𝑂𝐶 𝑁𝜙
𝐸 𝑁𝜙 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑁𝛽
= 𝑂𝐶 𝑠𝑖𝑛 … … . . (2) 𝐸 = 𝐸𝜃 2 = 𝐸𝑚
2 2 𝜙 𝛼 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛽
𝑠𝑖𝑛
2
𝜙
Consider, = 𝛽
2
 Fraunhofer diffraction at N-slits
𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑢𝑙𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑑𝑒
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑁𝛽
𝐸 = 𝐸𝑚
𝛼 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛽
𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦
𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝛼 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝑁𝛽
𝐼 = 𝐼𝑚
𝛼 2 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝛽
𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝛼
𝐼𝑚 2
⟹ 𝑑𝑢𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑑𝑖𝑓𝑓𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑒𝑎𝑐ℎ 𝑠𝑙𝑖𝑡
𝛼

𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝑁𝛽
2
⟹ gives the distribution of intensity in the
𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝛽
diffraction pattern due to the interference
in the waves due to N slits.
 Diffraction due to N slits- Principle maxima
Principle maxima
From equation (1) it is clear that the intensity will be
maximum when
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛽 = 0 ⟹ 𝛽 = ±𝑛𝜋 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑛 = 0,1,2,3 … . .
The result in
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑁𝛽 0
= = 𝐼𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑒
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛽 0
Diffraction due to N slits- Principle maxima
𝑁 cos 𝑁𝛽
lim ⟹ ±𝑁
𝛽→±𝑛𝜋 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛽
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑁𝛽
Substituting this value of in equation (1)
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛽

2
2
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼
𝑆𝑜, 𝐼𝑝 = 𝐸𝑚 𝑁2
𝛼

𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑝𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑖𝑝𝑎𝑙 𝑚𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑚𝑎 𝑖𝑠

𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛽 = 0, 𝛽 = ±𝑛𝜋
𝜋
𝑎 + 𝑏 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 = ±𝑛𝜋
𝜆
𝑎 + 𝑏 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 = ±𝑛𝜆
 Diffraction due to N slits- Minima
The intensity is minimum, when sin 𝑁𝛽 = 0, But
sin 𝛽 ≠ 0,
𝑁𝛽 = ±𝑛𝜋
𝜋
𝑁 𝑎 + 𝑏 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 = ±𝑛𝜋
𝜆
𝑁 𝑎 + 𝑏 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 = ±𝑛𝜆
 Diffraction due to N slits- Principle maxima
𝑑𝐼
For I to be maximum, =0.
𝑑𝛽
2 2
2
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑁𝛽
𝐼= 𝐸𝑚
𝛼 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛽
2
𝑑𝐼 𝑑 2
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝑁𝛽
=0 ⟹ 𝐸𝑚 2
=0
𝑑𝛽 𝑑𝛽 𝛼 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝛽
2
2
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼 2𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑁𝛽. 𝑁. 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑁𝛽 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝑁𝛽. 2𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛽
𝐸𝑚 2
− 3
=0
𝛼 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝛽 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝛽
2𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑁𝛽. 𝑁. 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑁𝛽 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝑁𝛽. 2𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛽
2
=
𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝛽 𝑠𝑖𝑛3 𝛽
𝑁. 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑁𝛽 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑁𝛽. 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛽
=
1 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛽
𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑁𝛽 = 𝑁𝑡𝑎𝑛𝛽
Diffraction due to N slits- Principle maxima
𝑁𝑡𝑎𝑛𝛽
𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑁𝛽 =
1
 Diffraction due to N slits- Principle maxima
2 2
2
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑁𝛽
𝐼= 𝐸𝑚
𝛼 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛽
2 2
2
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼 𝑁
𝐼𝑠 = 𝐸𝑚
𝛼 1 + 𝑁 2 − 1 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝛽
The intensity of secondary maxima is proportion to
𝑁2
1+ 𝑁2 −1 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝛽

While the intensity of principle maxima is proportion to 𝑁 2

 Diffraction due to N slits- Principle maxima
2 2
2 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼 𝑁
𝐼𝑠 𝐸 𝑚 𝛼 1 + 𝑁 2 − 1 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝛽
= 2
𝐼𝑝 2 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼
𝐸𝑚 𝑁2
𝛼
𝐼𝑠 1
=
𝐼𝑝 1 + 𝑁 2 − 1 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝛽

As N increases the intensity of secondary maxima decreases.

In case of diffraction grating N is very large.
What is Diffraction Grating

A diffraction
grating is an
arrangement
equivalent to a
large number of
parallel slits of
equal widths and
separated from
one another by
equal opaque
spaces.
Difference between grating and prism

Grating prism
Spectra produced due to diffraction Spectra produced due to dispersion
It gives many order spectra It gives only one order spectra
Spectra is material independent Spectra is material dependent
Light diffraction on CD/DVD tracks patterns
Track pitch

Minimum pit length

 Light diffraction on CD/DVD tracks patterns

𝑎 be the width of a pit and 𝑏 be the separation

between two successive pits, then from Bragg’s law
a + b sin𝜃 = 𝑑𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 = 𝑛 𝜆, 𝑛 = 0, ±1, ±2, …
𝑑 = (𝑎 + 𝑏) = grating For the first order diffraction (𝑛 = 1)
constant or track pitch
𝜆
𝑑= … … … (1)
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃
Determination of track pitch value for different types of discs

𝜆
𝑑=
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃
Determination of track pitch value for different types of discs

𝜆 𝜆 𝑦 2 + 𝐿2
𝑑= =
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 𝑦
 Determination of track pitch value for different types of discs
❑ the first order diffraction (𝑛 =
1)

𝜆
𝑑= … … … (1)
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃
❑ From the triangle ABC

𝐵𝐶 𝑦
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 = = … … (2)
𝐴𝐶 𝐴𝐶

From the triangle ABC

(𝐴𝐶)2 = (𝐵𝐶)2 +(𝐴𝐵)2

𝐴𝐶 = 𝑦 2 + 𝐿2 … … … (3)

From equation (1), (2) and (3)

. 𝜆 𝜆 𝜆 𝑦 2 + 𝐿2
𝑑= = =
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 𝑦/ 𝑦 2 + 𝐿2 𝑦
𝑑 can be measured by measuring 𝑦 and 𝐿
 Problem
Matthew, Ronald and Phillips attended a laboratory lesson at
physics lab. They placed a DVD on a flat surface and pointed a laser
with a wavelength of 650 nm to the DVD so that the ray was
perpendicular to the DVD. First-order maxima appeared on a wall at
a distance of 130 cm from the DVD and at a height of 70 cm. The
figure below shows the arrangement of this experiment.
a) What is the distance between two adjacent recording tracks on
the DVD?
b) How many tracks are there on 1 mm of length?
 Problem
Distance between the DVD and the wall L = 130 𝑐𝑚 = 1.3 𝑚
Order of maximum 𝑛=1
Wavelength of light 𝜆 = 650 𝑛𝑚 = 6.5 × 10−7 𝑚
Height of the first order maximum y = 70 𝑐𝑚 = 0.7 𝑚
Distance between two tracks on a DVD 𝑑 =?
Number of tracks per 1 mm of length 𝑁 =?
From the figure
𝐿
tan 𝜃 =
𝑦
1.3
𝜃 = tan = 61.74𝑜
0.7
the distance d between two successive tracks
𝑛𝜆 1 × 6.5 × 10−7
𝑑= =
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 sin 61.74𝑜

𝑑 = 7.4 × 10−7 𝑚 = 740 𝑛𝑚

Number of tracks N per 1 mm can be

obtained as follows
10−3 𝑚
𝑁= = 1400
7.4 × 10−7 𝑚
 Resolving power

Resolving Power: The ability of an optical instrument to resolve

the images of two close point source is known as resolving power.

Limit of Resolution: The minimum separation between two objects

that can be resolved by an optical instrument is called the limit of
Resolution.
 Rayleigh Criteria for Resolution

Rayleigh Criteria for Resolution: According to

Rayleigh, two close point objects are said to be just
resolved if the principal maxima of one coincides with
the first minima of the other and vice-versa.
 Resolving power of microscope
❑In fig. MN is an circular aperture of the objective of

the microscope and

❑A and B are two object points at a distance d apart.

❑A’ and B’ are the corresponding to the central bright

disc of Fraunhofer diffraction patterns at circular

aperture.

❑A’ and B’ are surrounded by alternate dark and bright

diffraction rings.

❑The two images are said to be just resolved if the

position of the central maximum B’ also coincides

with the first minimum of the image A’.

Resolving power of microscope
 Resolving power of microscope

If there is a liquid of refractive index 𝜇 between the object and objective,

then 𝜆 changes to 𝜆/𝜇
𝜆/𝜇 𝜆
𝑑= =
2𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼 2𝜇𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼
To express 𝜇𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼 , Abbe gave the name numerical aperture (NA) of the
objective of the microscope. Hence the limit of resolution of a microscope is
given by
𝜆
𝑑=
2 (𝑁𝐴)
The resolving power is the reciprocal of the limit of resolution
2 (𝑁𝐴)
𝑅. 𝑃. =
𝜆