Module-1

Optics II (Diffraction)

What is Diffraction?

Diffraction of light is defined as the bending of light near the edge of the obstacle is
called diffraction.
The size of obstacles should be equal to or smaller than the wavelength of light for
diffraction.

Types of Diffraction

There are two main classes of diffraction, which are known as

Fraunhofer diffraction and

Fresnel diffraction.
 Distinguish between Fraunhofer and Fresnel diffraction
Fresnel diffraction Fraunhofer diffraction

Distance of slit from source and screen is Distance of slit from source and screen is
Finite. Infinite.
Wavefront incident on the slit is spherical or Wavefront incident on the slit is plane.
cylindrical.
Wavefront incident on the screen is spherical Wavefront incident on the screen is plane.
or cylindrical.
Lenses are not required to observe Fresnel Lenses are required to observe Fraunhofer
diffraction diffraction
Interference pattern and diffraction pattern
• Most likely questions asked in exams:

• What do you mean by diffraction? State its types and differentiate between
them.
 Path difference and Phase difference

The path difference between two The phase difference between

nearby waves is ∆𝑥 two nearby waves is
Intensity of light due to Fraunhofer Diffraction by single slit

But at point P1 all diffracted rays travels at angle 𝜃. Point

P1 may be dark or bright depends upon path difference.

At centre, all rays travel in same path at point P0 and

produce central maxima.

The intensity of the wave is directly proportional to the square of its

amplitude.
 So let's first determine the amplitude at point P1 in order to calculate the intensity at point P1.
at point P1 all diffracted rays travels at The phasor diagram will be used to determine the amplitude
angle 𝜃. Point P1 may be dark or bright
depends upon path difference.

But the total path difference is ∆ = ∆𝑥 + ∆𝑥 + ….=BD

From ∆ABD,
𝐵𝐷
Sin 𝜃 =
𝐴𝐵
The path difference between two nearby waves is ∆𝑥 BD =AB Sin 𝜃
The path difference BD = AB Sin 𝜃 = a Sin 𝜃
 From sector OSQ,
From ∆𝐒UO
𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ 𝑜𝑓 𝑎𝑟𝑐
𝐴
∅=
𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑢𝑠
2
Sin ∝ = 𝐴
𝑅 ∅= 0
𝑅
𝐴 𝐴
= R sin ∝ 𝑅.= 0
2 ∅
𝐴 ∅
A = 2 R sin ∝ R = 0 (Because ∝= )
2∝ 2

Let us assume that A = 2 R sin ∝

∅ 𝐴0
Let ∝ = 2 A=2 sin ∝
2∝
𝐴0
𝐴= sin ∝
∝
𝜋 sin ∝ 𝜋
𝛼 = a sin 𝜃
𝜆
This is the resultant amplitude at an angle 𝜃 𝐴 = 𝐴0
∝
(where 𝛼 = a sin 𝜃 )
𝜆

2 sin ∝
The intensity of light is square of amplitude (A) = (𝐴0 )2
∝
sin ∝2
𝐼𝜃 = 𝐼0 ( )
∝2
This is the resultant intensity at an angle 𝜃
Condition for central maxima
sin ∝ 2
𝐼𝜃 = 𝐼0 ( )
∝
𝒔𝒊𝒏 ∝ 2
For central maxima ( ) =1
∝

The above condition true when

𝑙𝑖𝑚𝑖𝑡 sin ∝
=1
𝛼→ 0 ∝

It means 𝛼 = 0

𝝅
𝜶 = a sin 𝜽 =0
𝝀

a sin 𝜃 =0

𝜃 =0
Condition for minimum intensity
𝒔𝒊𝒏 ∝ 2
For minima ( ) =0
∝

Sin 𝛼 = 0

for this 𝜶 has to be

𝜶 = ±𝝅, ±𝟐𝝅, ± 𝟑𝝅, ±𝟒𝝅… = ±𝒏𝝅
(except zero 0 )
From
𝝅
𝜶 = a sin 𝜽
𝝀

𝜋
±𝒏𝝅 = 𝜆 a sin 𝜃

n𝜆 = a sin 𝜃 , where n = 1,2,3,…….

a sin 𝜽= n𝝀
Most likely questions asked in exams:

Explain Fraunhofer diffraction at a single slit, obtain expression for the resultant intensity and
derive expression for maxima and minima for single slit.
OR
Derive an expression for intensity of diffracted light in single slit Fraunhofer diffraction.

This is a very important question, and it is being asked more frequently,

carrying a weightage of 7 to 8 marks.
Position of first minima in single slit diffraction Condition for minima
width of the central maximum
a sin 𝜃 = n𝜆 , where n = 1,2,3,…….

Condition for 1st minima (n=1)

a sin 𝜃 = 𝜆

𝜆
sin 𝜃 =
𝑎
If lens is very close to the slit then, distance op is equal to the
focal length of the lens.

From figure op =op1 = f = focal length of the lens

𝜆 𝑥
=
𝑎 𝑓
In 𝚫OPP1
𝑓𝜆
𝑝𝑝1 𝑥 X= (Position of first minima in single slit diffraction)
𝑎
sin 𝜃 = =
𝑂𝑃1 𝑓
The width of the central maximum can be calculated,
𝟐𝒇𝝀
W = 2x =
𝒂
Most likely questions asked in exams:

Derive the formula of the width of the central maxima in single slit Fraunhofer diffraction
 Intensity of light due to Fraunhofer Diffraction by double slits
At point P all diffracted rays reach at angle 𝜽.
The point will be dark or bright depends upon the path
difference

At the centre of the screen all rays travels same distance and
produce maximum intensity

The point P the path difference is

Path difference BC = (a/2 +b + a/2) sin 𝜽
= (a + b) sin 𝜃
The corresponding phase difference is
a = slit width
b = width of opaque
2𝜋 𝝅
𝜙= (a + b) sin 𝜃 Assume 𝜷 = 𝝀 (a + b) sin 𝜽
𝜆
𝜙=2𝛽
As a result of solving,
The resultant Intensity at angle 𝜃 due to double slits
𝝅
sin 𝛼2 𝜶 = 𝝀 a sin 𝜽 from single slit diffraction
𝐴2𝜃 = 4 𝐴20 (cos 𝛽)2
𝛼2 𝝅
𝜷 = 𝝀 (a + b) sin 𝜽 from Double slit diffraction
 sin 𝛼 2
𝐴2𝜃 =4 𝐴20 cos 𝛽2
𝛼2
Let's quickly review the path difference for both single and double slits.

The path difference BD = AB Sin 𝜃

= a Sin 𝜃

Condition for minima a sin 𝜃= n𝜆

Path difference BC = (a/2 +b + a/2) sin 𝜽

= (a + b) sin 𝜃

Condition for maxima (a + b) sin 𝜃=m 𝜆

Missing order in double slit diffraction pattern
Condition for minimum intensity Condition for maxima intensity due to
due to single slit diffraction double slits interference

n𝜆 = a sin 𝜃 , where n = 1,2,3,……. n𝜆 = (a + b) sin 𝜃 , where n = 1,2,3,……. (12th std )

a sin 𝜃= m𝜆 -------------------( 1 ) (a + b) sin 𝜃 = n𝜆 ------------------ ( 2 )

Divide equation (2 ) by (1)

(𝑎 + 𝑏) 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃 𝑛𝜆
=
𝑎 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃 𝑚𝜆
(𝑎 + 𝑏) 𝑛
=
𝑎 𝑚
 Condition-1, then Condition-2, then
if a= b if 2a= b
(𝑎 + 𝑏) 𝑛 (𝑎 + 𝑏) 𝑛
= =
𝑎 𝑚 𝑎 𝑚
(𝑎 + 𝑎) 𝑛
= (𝑎 + 2𝑎) 𝑛
𝑎 𝑚 =
𝑎 𝑚

(2𝑎) 𝑛
= (3𝑎) 𝑛
𝑎 𝑚 =
𝑎 𝑚
𝑛
2= 3=
𝑛
𝑚
𝑚

n = 2m if m= 1,2,3,….. then n= 2,4,6,…..

n = 3m if m= 1,2,3,….. then n= 3,6,9,…..

So, second, fourth, sixth orders of interference maxima So, 3rd,6th,9th orders of interference maxima are missing
are missing in diffraction pattern, because these maxima in diffraction pattern, because these maxima will
will coincide with 1st,2nd,3rd…. order diffraction minima coincide with 1st,2nd,3rd…. order diffraction minima
due to single slit. due to single slit.
• Most likely questions asked in exams:

• 3 marks

• How the condition, for absent spectra in grating is obtained?

• What particular spectra would be absent when the width of the opacity is doubled
than that of the transparency in grating?

• If the opaque space between the slits are made three times the transparent space.
Find which order of spectra will be absent.
Fraunhofer Diffraction by N parallel slits.

The amplitude at angle 𝜃 is

𝜋
𝛼 = 𝜆 a sin 𝜃
𝒔𝒊𝒏∝ sin 𝑁𝛽
𝐴𝜃 =𝐴0
∝ 𝛽 𝜋
𝛽 = (a + b) sin 𝜃
𝜆
𝟐
The intensity if given by 𝟐 𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝜶
𝑨𝟎 𝟐 This factor gives intensity distribution due to single slit
𝜶
2 2
2 2 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝛼 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑁𝛽
𝐼𝜃 = 𝐴𝜃 =𝐴0 2 𝒔𝒊𝒏𝟐 𝑵𝜷
This factor gives intensity distribution due to N slits
𝛼 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝛽 𝒔𝒊𝒏𝟐 𝜷
For principal maxima (central maxima)
2 2
2 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝛼 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑁𝛽
𝐼𝜃 = 𝐴0 2
𝛼 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝛽

𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝑁𝛽
This term should be maximum =1
𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝛽

For maximum, Sin 𝛽 = 0

This is possible when 𝛽 = ±n 𝜋 where m=0,1,2,3….
𝜋
𝐵𝑢𝑡, 𝛽 = (a + b) sin 𝜃
𝜆
𝜋
𝛽 = (a + b) sin 𝜃 = n 𝜋
𝜆

(a + b) sin 𝜽 = n 𝝀 very imp formula for n slits

or grating
Where n= 0,1,2,3,4…….is called order of number.
n=0 corresponds to zero order maximum that is central
maxima.
For n= 1,2,3… we get the first order, second order and so
on principal maxima respectively.
Fraunhofer diffraction at N parallel slits (Diffraction grating)
Diffraction grating is defined as arrangement of large number of
parallel slits placed closed to each other and separated by equal
opaque spaces between them.
If a is width of the slit (i.e. space between the lines) and b is the
width of the line (i.e. width of opaque space), the ( a + b ) is called as
grating element.

If there are N no. of lines per cm If there are N no. of lines per inch
As we know 1 inch = 2.54 cm
Na + Nb = 1cm
Na + Nb = 2.54 cm
N ( a + b ) = 1 cm
N ( a + b ) = 2.54 cm
1
Grating element (a + b) is = cm 𝟐.𝟓𝟒
𝑁 Grating element (a + b) is = cm
𝑵
There are two types of grating

1. Transmission grating ( light get 2. Reflection grating (light get

transmitted) e.g. laboratory grating reflected) e.g. Compact Disk (C.D)
Application of diffraction grating
Determination of wavelength of light by grating

Therefor the above equation is called as grating equation.

(a + b) sin 𝜃 = n 𝜆

(a + b) sin 𝜃
𝜆=
𝑛

1
(a + b) =
𝑁

𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝜽
𝝀=
𝒏𝑵
• Most likely questions asked in exams:

3 marks

• What is plane transmission grating?

• What is Optical grating and grating element ?

 Resolving power of grating
Rayleigh criterion

Unresolved Just resolved Well resolved

If distance between When central maxima If the distance between
central maxima of two of one pattern falls on central maxima of two pattern
pattern is less then the first minima of second is more than distance
distance between pattern then images between maxima and minima
maxima and minima of are said to be just of any two pattern.
any two pattern resolved
 Resolving Power of Grating
Resolving power
Ability of instrument to separate the images of two objects, which are very close to each
other is called resolving power of instrument.
Resolving power of grating
It is ability of grating to separate maxima of two closed wavelengths which are very close to
each other or
It is defined as the capacity of a grating to form separate diffraction maxima of two
wavelengths which are very close to each other
Resolving power of grating is
𝝀
R.P. = = nN
𝒅𝝀
Where 𝝀 wavelength of any spectral line.
d𝝀 is difference in wavelength
N is minimum no of lines required on the grating surface to just resolve the
wavelengths 𝜆 and 𝜆 +d𝜆.
n is order of spectrum.
Thus the resolving power is directly proportional to

(i) The order of the spectrum ‘n’

(ii) The total number of lines on the grating ‘N’

• Most likely questions asked in exams:

What do you understand by resolving power? How can the resolving power
of a grating ne increased?

What do you mean by resolving power of diffraction grating? What is its

significance ?