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Applied Physics Unit1 Notes Abhishek Final

The document covers key concepts in wave optics, focusing on the principle of superposition and coherence. The principle of superposition explains how overlapping waves interact, resulting in constructive or destructive interference, while coherence describes the fixed phase relationship necessary for stable interference patterns. Both concepts have significant applications in optics, including interference experiments and quantum mechanics.

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10 views4 pages

Applied Physics Unit1 Notes Abhishek Final

The document covers key concepts in wave optics, focusing on the principle of superposition and coherence. The principle of superposition explains how overlapping waves interact, resulting in constructive or destructive interference, while coherence describes the fixed phase relationship necessary for stable interference patterns. Both concepts have significant applications in optics, including interference experiments and quantum mechanics.

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kotaa6731
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APPLIED PHYSICS NOTES

UNIT-I: WAVE OPTICS

Prepared by Abhishek

1. Principle of Superposition

The principle of superposition is a fundamental concept in wave optics and physics. It explains how
two or more waves interact in space and time. When multiple waves overlap, their resultant
displacement at any point is the algebraic sum of the displacements due to each wave acting
independently.

Definition:
The Principle of Superposition states: "When two or more waves of the same type (mechanical,
sound, light, etc.) travel through a medium simultaneously, the resulting displacement at a point is
equal to the vector sum of the displacements due to each individual wave."

Explanation:
When two light waves interfere at a point, they can either:
1. Constructively interfere, where their displacements add together, resulting in a wave of greater
amplitude.
2. Destructively interfere, where their displacements subtract from each other, possibly resulting in a
reduced or zero amplitude.

Mathematically, if two waves are represented as:


- y1 = A1 sin(wt + phi1)
- y2 = A2 sin(wt + phi2)

Then the resultant wave is:


- y = y1 + y2 = A sin(wt + phi)

Where A depends on the amplitudes and phase differences of the two waves.

Physical Significance:
- Constructive Interference results in bright fringes in interference experiments like Young's double
slit.
- Destructive Interference leads to dark fringes where the waves cancel each other out.

Applications:
- Interference patterns in thin films and Newton's rings.
- Understanding diffraction effects when light passes through apertures.
- Essential for technologies like noise-cancelling headphones (destructive interference).
- Forms the foundation of quantum mechanics, where probability amplitudes add up following the
superposition principle.

Conditions for Superposition:


- The principle works in linear media (elastic materials where Hooke's law applies).
- It assumes no nonlinear interactions (no energy loss due to heat, friction, or other nonlinear
factors).
- It requires coherent sources for sustained interference patterns (discussed in the next topic).

Examples:
1. Waves on a string: If you pulse two ends of a string, their disturbances superimpose.
2. Light interference: Light waves from two slits form an interference pattern on a screen.
3. Sound waves: Beats are produced by superposing sound waves of slightly different frequencies.

Limitations:
- It is valid only in linear systems. In nonlinear optics (high-intensity lasers), the principle doesn't hold
perfectly.
- It doesn't account for energy loss during wave interaction.

Conclusion:
The principle of superposition helps explain a wide variety of phenomena in wave physics. It is
crucial for understanding interference, diffraction, and polarization in optics. The concept also
extends to quantum theory, electrical circuits, and sound wave interactions.

2. Coherence

In wave optics, coherence refers to a fixed phase relationship between waves at different points in
space or time. Coherence is an essential concept for producing clear and stable interference
patterns, such as those observed in the Young's double-slit experiment, thin films, and holography.
Without coherence, interference patterns would fluctuate randomly and not be observable.

What is Coherence?
Coherence describes how well two wave sources, or different parts of the same wave, remain in
phase with each other over time and space. It determines the ability of light waves to exhibit
interference effects.

For light waves to interfere and produce a stable, observable pattern, they must be coherent,
meaning:
- They have the same frequency or wavelength.
- Their phase difference remains constant over time.
- They have the same polarization state (ideally).

Types of Coherence:
1. Temporal Coherence
- Temporal coherence relates to the correlation of the wave at different points along its direction of
propagation over time.
- Temporal coherence length is the distance over which the wave remains correlated.
- A monochromatic source like a laser has high temporal coherence.

2. Spatial Coherence
- Spatial coherence refers to the correlation between waves at different points perpendicular to the
direction of propagation.
- It describes how well different points on a wavefront maintain a constant phase relationship.
- Point sources (e.g., lasers) exhibit high spatial coherence.

Mathematical Representation:
If two electric field vectors E1 and E2 maintain a constant phase difference, they are coherent.
Coherence is often characterized by a quantity called degree of coherence (gamma), ranging from 0
(incoherent) to 1 (fully coherent).

Coherent vs Incoherent Sources:


Coherent Source: Constant phase difference, produces stable interference, examples: Lasers,
monochromatic LEDs.
Incoherent Source: Random phase difference, no stable interference, examples: Bulbs, Sunlight.

Applications:
- Interferometry
- Holography
- Optical communication
- Quantum optics

Diagram Description:
- Two light waves maintaining a constant phase difference showing interference patterns.
- Temporal coherence illustration: A wave compared at different time instances.
- Spatial coherence illustration: Points on a wavefront across space maintaining a fixed phase
relationship.

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