Diffraction Grating: Prior Concepts: Diffraction, Maxima & Minima of Intensity
Diffraction Grating: Prior Concepts: Diffraction, Maxima & Minima of Intensity
Diffraction Grating: Prior Concepts: Diffraction, Maxima & Minima of Intensity
Theory:
A grating is an arrangement of a large number of parallel slits of the
same width, separated by equal opaque spaces. It is made by ruling a large
number of equidistant parallel straight lines on glass, so that there are
alternate transparent & opaque spaces on it. A diamond pointer is used to
rule the lines. A photographic replica of a plate, made by this method, is
also used as a grating.
When a plane wave front of monochromatic light is incident normally on a
grating every point in each slit acts as a source of secondary wavelets
spreading in all directions. The central maximum is formed, where the
secondary wavelets traveling in the same direction as that of the incident
light are brought to focus. At any other point, where the rays travel with an
inclination with respect to the incident light, the waves reach it in different
phases. As a result, dark & bright bands are formed on either side of the
central maximum.
Condition for the formation of maxima at a point is that, the path
difference between the waves reaching at a point must be an integral
multiple of the wavelength.
(a + b) sinθn = nλ
(a b) grating element
a Slit width
Where,
b opaque space
n order of the spectrum
Ray Diagram:-
S
S – Source of light.
T – Telescope.
DG 00 & 3600
Main Scale
120
θ
2θ θ2
130
V V
0
θ1
Vernier Scale
30
T
T
V = Violet
Observations:
2.54
1. Grating element = (a b) N= Number of Slits/inch= 15000
N
Result:
Remark