Wave Optics 9

Diffraction
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Diffraction
Diffraction
Diffraction of Light Light deviates from its linear path.

wavelets from secondary sources superpose

and resulting wavefront has different shape.
Incident
wavefront
Screen

obstacle
Diffraction
Light deviates from its linear path.

Due to this :
light penetrates into the
geometrical shadow of
obstacle.

On the Screen Fringe pattern comprising

maxima & minima are formed.
Which of the following accurately defines 'diffraction'?

A. The bouncing of a wave off a shiny surface.

B. The bending of a wave as it moves from one

material to another.

C. The spreading out of a wave, but only

through a slit(or aperture).

D. The spreading out of the wave around an obstacle,

or the spreading out of a wave as it goes through a slit.
Diffraction

Diffraction through a Slit Diffraction around an Obstacle

Diffraction
The phenomenon of bending of light around corners
of an obstacle or aperture in the path of light.
Diffraction using Huygen’s Theory
Diffraction of Light

Diffraction as explained by Huygen’s principle.

Light deviates from its linear path.

wavelets from secondary sources superpose

and resulting wavefront has different shape.

On the Screen Fringe pattern comprising

obstacle maxima & minima are formed.
Diffraction

If a wave is obstructed during its propagation by an obstacle or

opening, the wave bends at the edges.

➢ Diffraction of Light was first explained by Fresnel

➢ Diffraction is possible in all type of waves

➢ Mechanical or Electromagnetic waves both show diffraction.

Diffraction Diffraction depends on two factors :
Diffraction of Light
Diffraction depends on two factors :
(i) Size of obstacles or aperture

aperture

(ii) Wavelength of the wave

λ
Diffraction

Slit Width ↓

Spreading Angle ↑
Condition of Diffraction

Size of obstacle or aperture should be nearly equal to

the wavelength of light

λ≃a
Diffraction For light rays, diffraction is negligible as
dimensions of obstacles generally encountered
are much larger than wavelength of light. (350 - 750 nm)

Hence light can be treated as light rays travelling in straight lines

starting at the source and terminating at opaque surfaces.
Single Slit Diffraction

Fraunhofer Diffraction

S P0
a

C
Fraunhofer Diffraction

S θ
B P0
a

C
Fraunhofer Diffraction

Since the screen is far from slit optical path from

any point on the wavefront AM to point P are equal.

A
θ Hence optical path difference between
M waves sent by the upper edge A of the slit
a/2
θ and waves sent by centre of the slit(B)
B is ‘a/2 sinθ’
a/2 sinθ
Fraunhofer Diffraction
If
A
Condition for Destructive Interference
a/2
Two waves will cancel each other. The wave from
B any point in the upper half of the slit is exactly
cancelled by wave from the point a/2 distance below
it.
C Hence for first minimum

a sin θ = λ
Fraunhofer Diffraction
In general, for dark fringe
A
a sin θ = n λ
a/2
Condition for Destructive Interference or Minima
B

and for first minimum

C sin θ =
Fraunhofer Diffraction

for width of Central Bright fringe

1st minima: a sinθ = λ

a (y/D) = λ

y = λD/a

Width of central maxima = 2λD/a

Fraunhofer Diffraction

For first minima and

➔ Linear width of central maxima wx = 2x ⇒

➔ Angular width of central maxima

Fraunhofer Diffraction

most of the diffracted light is

distributed between sin θ = -λ/a and +λ/a

2λ/a 2λD/a

λ/a λD/a
A
0

-λ/a -λD/a
C

sin θ y
Light of wavelength 5000Å incident over a slit of width 1 μm.
The angular width of central maxima will be
A. 300

B. 600

C. 900

D. 1200
Light of wavelength 6000Å is incident normally on a slit
of width 24 × 10–5 cm. Find out the angular position of
second minimum from central maximum ?

A. 60o B. 30o C. 15o D. 45o

Intensity of Maximas I : Intensity of maximas at θ

I0

where

-λ/b 0 λ/b 2λ/b 3λ/b sin θ

Intensity of first maxima after central one is

1/22th of intensity at central maxima
Intensity of Maximas

Each point on slit is a source of wave

Intensity of Maximas
Intensity of Maximas Intensity of maximas

Io: Intensity of Central Maxima

for 1st maxima

a sin θ = 3λ/2
Intensity of Maximas Intensity of maximas

I0
where

I0/22
I0/62

-λ/b 0 λ/b 2λ/b 3λ/b sin θ

Intensity of first maxima after central one is

1/22th of intensity at central maxima
Difference between Interference and Diffraction

Interference Diffraction
1 It is the phenomenon of It is the phenomenon of superposition of
superposition of two waves coming a continuous family of waves originating
from two different coherent sources. from each point on a single slit.

In interference pattern, all bright

2 lines are equally bright and equally All bright lines are not equally bright and
spaced. equally wide. Brightness and width goes on
decreasing with angle of diffraction.

3 All dark lines are totally dark Dark lines are not perfectly dark. Their
contrast with bright lines and width goes
on decreasing with angle of diffraction.

4 In interference bands are large in In diffraction bands are a few in number.

number
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