Diffraction

Diffraction
The phenomenon of bending of light around the corners of an obstacle or an aperture into
the region of geometrical shadow of obstacle in the same medium is called diffraction of
light.
Condition for diffraction to occur: Slit should be in the order of wavelength of light and
wavelength of incident light must be less than width of the slit.
that is width of the slit
Why is diffraction more pronounced in sound than in light?
Ans:λsound is much greater than λlight θ is more for sound so diffraction is more
pronounced in sound than in light
Diffraction of light at a single slit
1) The plane wave front is incident on the slit AB of width a. By Huygens principle each &
every point on the PWF will be acting as the source of secondary wave front.
Considering a point. O on the screen which is at a distance D from the plane of slit AB Since
there is no path diff between AO and BO, secondary wavelets from AB forms a constructive
interference at O which is the central maxima whose pd is zero.
Let the light be diffracted through angle  & these wavelets reach the point. P. The point P
will be maximum or minimum depending on the path difference between the secondary
wavelets from AB
Path diff.
a) For minima
If the path diff is , Slit is assumed to be divided into two

equal halves λ /2 and λ /2.
Light waves from each part of the slits are Superimposed and produce dark
bands, since pd of these wavelets is /2.
Let pd is 2λ , imagine the slit is assumed to be divided into 4 equal halves & Superposition
of these wavelets at pt. P produces dark bands, since pd is /2.
Maxima
First secondary maxima

Let pd is 3/2 imagine slit Is divided into 3 equal parts. Light from first and
second part of slit nullify their effects since pd is /2. but third part of the
slit contributes towards the first secondary maxima whose intensity is
lesser than central maximum.
For second secondary maxima, pd = 5/2,imagine slit is divided into 5

equal parts Light waves from the first, second and third and fourth parts of the slits nullify
their effects since pd is /2, the intensity is lesser than first secondary maxima
In general for maxima, pd =( 2n+1)λ /2
where n = 1,2,3 …
Linear width of secondary maxima
Draw a graph between intensity of

diffraction pattern Vs angular width
Show that the width of central maxima is twice width of secondary maxima
On either side of Central maxima, first minima lies. Width of central maxima ¿distance
between two first minima
So width of the central maxima =2* width of the secondary maxima
OR
Angular width of central maxima: first minima lies on either side of central maximum.
Twice the width of the secondary maxima. Angular width of
secondary maxima
Note:
the width of the slit, A is the amplitude of light wave.
Difference in diffraction pattern at single slit due to monochromatic and polychromatic
light.
When source is monochromatic, diffraction consists of alternate bright and dark bands of
unequal width of band. Central bright fringe has maximum intensity. An intensity of
successive secondary maxima fails off rapidly.
The diffraction pattern is coloured of different band width. A central maximum is white in
colour. Red band is nearer to central bright than violet band. After few coloured bands
overlapping will occur.
Note:-
1.Instead of rectangular slit, circular slit is used (lens convex),
then
2. When entire diffraction apparatus in dipped in water, then the angular width of central
maxima becomes.
1
µ is the refractive index of water, angular width becomes times.
μ
Differencebetweeninterference &diffraction
1. Interference is the superposition of Diffraction is due to the superposition of
two wave fronts originating from two two secondary wavelets originating from
coherent sources the different parts of the same wave
front.
2. All the maxima are of the same All maxima (the bright fringes) are of
intensity varying intensity
3. Width of fringes is equal Width of fringes are not equal
4. Dark fringes are almost perfectly dark Dark fringes are not perfectly dark
5. Bands are large in number Bands are few in number

Diffraction

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Diffraction

Diffraction of light at a single slit

If the path diff is , Slit is assumed to be divided into two

First secondary maxima

For second secondary maxima, pd = 5/2,imagine slit is divided into 5

Draw a graph between intensity of

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