ENGINEERING PHYSICS (BAS-101/BAS-201)

Unit-III: Wave Optics

Coherent Sources of Light

Coherent sources of light are defined as the light sources which emit waves of the same frequency and
maintain the same phase or constant phase difference between them. The phase difference between the
waves may have any value from 0 to π radians but it will remain constant. Two waves of different
frequencies can never maintain a constant phase difference.

Methods to produce two Coherent Sources

Two virtual sources obtained from a single parent source can act as coherent source. In such case all the
random phase changes occurring in the parent source are repeated in the virtual sources also, thus
maintaining a constant phase difference between them. Few methods for producing two coherent sources
are discussed below:
(i) Double slit experiment
The monochromatic light is allowed to pass through a narrow-slit S (Fig.1). The light coming out of the slit
S is then allowed to fall on the two closely spaced narrow slits S1 and S2 which are equidistant from the
slit S. The waves produced from the slits S1 and S2 are always in phase and overlap to produce interference
fringes. Hence, the slits S1 and S2 behave as two secondary coherent sources.

S1

S
S2

Fig. 1
(ii) Fresnel’s Biprism
The monochromatic light from a narrow vertical slit is allowed to fall on the Biprism (Fig. 2) placed at a
small distance from S. When light falls on upper part of the Biprism, it bends downwards and appears to
come from S1. Similarly when lights falls on lower part of the Biprism it bends upwards and appears to
come from S2. Here S1 and S2 are images of source S and work as two virtual coherent sources of light.
S1

S2

Fig. 2

Change of Phase on Reflection

The process of reflection also affects the phase of a light wave. A path difference or phase difference
may arise during the process of reflection.
A light wave travelling in a rarer medium undergoes a phase change of radian when it gets reflected
at the boundary of a denser medium, as illustrated in Fig. 3 (a). However, a light wave does not suffer a
change in phase when it gets reflected at denser-to-rarer medium boundary. For example, consider a light
wave incident on a glass block [Fig. 3(b)]. The wave reflected from the air to glass boundary experiences
  change
Air
a Air
 change Glass
g
Glass

no  change
(a) (b)
Fig. 3
a phase change of  radian relative to the incident wave because µg > µa. The wave transmitted through
glass gets again reflected at the bottom surface which is glass-to-air boundary. The reflection at glass-air
boundary does not produce a phase change (). A phase change of  radian is equivalent to a path
 
difference (x) of . Phase change of  radian is equivalent to a loss or gain of half wave .
2 2

Interference in Thin Films (Interference by Division of Amplitude)

Thin film: A film is said to be thin when its thickness is about the order of one wavelength of the visible
light which is taken to be 5500Å. (A film of thickness in the range 0.5µm to 10 µm may be considered as a
thin film).
Division of Amplitude and Thin Film Interference
At each reflection, the intensity and hence the amplitude of light wave is divided into a reflected component
and a refracted component. The reflected and refracted components travel along different paths and
subsequently overlap to produce interference. A thin film may be uniform or non-uniform in its structure.
ar at2r at2r3 at2r5
a
r3

at
atr

at

atr2 atr5
r4
at

at2 at2r2 at2r4

Fig. 4
Interference in Thin Film of Uniform Thickness or Parallel Thin Film Interference
Case I. Interference by Reflected Light
Consider a thin parallel transparent film of thickness t [Fig. 5] and refractive index µ (> 1). Let a single ray
SA of monochromatic light of wavelength  be incident on the upper surface of the film at an angle i. This
ray is partly reflected along AB and partly refracted along AC at an angle r. At point C the ray AC is again
partly reflected from the second surface along CD, then part of it is transmitted along DE. Thus, the
coherent rays AB and DE are obtained simply by reflections from upper and lower surfaces of thin film.

Now, optical path difference (p) between the two rays AB and DE is given as:
p = path ACD in film – path AL in air = µ (AC + CD) – AL ... (1)
In right angled ACN, we have
CN CN t
cos r = or AC =  ... (2) [ CN = t]
AC c os r cos r
 S M B

L
i i
 change N i Air
A D Thin Film
r
t r r ()
no  change
C Air
Fig. 5
Similarly, in right angled CND, we have
CN t
CD =  ...(3)
c os r cos r
Now in ADL:
AL
sin i = or AL = AD sin i = (AN + ND) sin i ... (4)
AD
But in ANC: AN = CN tan r = t tan r and in CND: ND = CN tan r = t tan r
 From equation (4),
s in r s in r s in 2 r
AL =(t tan r + t tan r) sin i = 2t tan r sin i = 2t · s in i = 2t ·  s in r = 2 t ... (5)
c os r c os r cos r
On substituting the values of AC, CD and AL from equations (2), (3) and (5) in equation (1), we get
sin 2 r 2 t sin 2 r 2 t 2 t
p =  
t t 
  2 t =  2 t = [1  s in 2 r ] = 2
· c o s r  2 t c os r
 c os r c os r  cos r c os r cos r c os r c os r
or p = 2µt cos r ... (6)
This path difference (p), between the two rays AB and DE, is apparent path difference. The actual path

difference will include a factor of due to the fact that the ray AB is the reflected ray from a denser medium
2
surface. Hence the actual total path difference between AB and DE is:

 = 2t cos r– · , ... (7)
2
Conditions of Maxima and Minima:

(i) For constructive interference the path difference should be an even multiple of , i.e., for maxima:
2
  
2 t c o s r  = 2n · or 2t cos r = (2 n  1) , n = 0, 1, 2, 3, ....
2 2 2

Also, 2t cos r = (2 n  1) , n = 1, 2, 3, ...... ...(8)
2
When this condition is satisfied, the film will appear bright.

(ii) For destructive interference, the path difference should be an odd multiple of , i.e., for minima:
2
   
2 t c o s r  = (2 n  1) or 2µt cos r = (2 n  1)  or 2t cos r =n, n = 0, 1, 2, 3, ...(9)
2 2 2 2
When this condition is satisfied, the film will appear dark.

Case II. Interference by Transmitted Light

Consider a thin parallel sided transparent thin film of thickness t [Fig. 6] and refractive index µ (> 1). Let
a single ray SA of monochromatic light of wavelength  be incident on the upper surface of the film at
an angle i. This ray after refraction at A follows the path AB. At B it is partly reflected along BC and partly
refracted along BP. At point C, BC is again partly reflected along CD and then a part of it is refracted along
DQ. The rays BP and DQ are coherent.
 S

i
C Air
A
Thin
r r r film
t
r
D
B M i Air
i

N
Q

P
Fig. 6
Now, the path difference between these two rays BP and DQ is given by:
 = path BCD in film – path BN in air = µ (BC + CD) – BN ... (1)
In right angled BCM, (BCM =DCM = r, MC = t)
MC MC t
cos r =  BC =  ... (2)
BC c os r cos r
Similarly, in MCD,
MC MC t
cos r = CD =  ... (3)
CD c os r cos r
In right angled BDN:
BN
sin i = BN = BD sin i =(BM + MD) sin i ... (4)
BD
But in BCM, BM = CM tan r = t tan r and in CDM, MD = CM tan r = t tan r
 From equation (4), we have
s in r s in 2 r
BN = (t tan r + t tan r) sin I = 2t tan r sin i = 2t (  s in r ) = 2 t ... (5)
c os r cos r
On substituting values of BC, CD and BN from equations (2), (3) and (5) in equation (1), we get
s in 2 r 2 t 2 t
 =   
t t
   2 t = (1  s in 2 r ) = 2
· c os r ,
 cos r cos r  cos r c os r cos r
or  = 2t cos r, ... (6)
The rays BP and DQ will produce constructive interference or brightness if:
2µt cos r =n, ... (7) where n = 1, 2, 3, ....
The rays will produce destructive interference or darkness if

2µt cos r = (2 n  1) ... (8)
2
The visibility of fringes is much higher in the reflected system than in the transmitted system. Thus, the
fringes are sharper in reflected light.

From above results it is clear that the conditions of maxima and minima in the reflected and
transmitted light are just opposite. Hence, the interference pattern of reflected and transmitted
monochromatic light are complementary.

Colours of Thin Films

When a soap film or an oil film on water surface is seen in reflected light it shows beautiful colours. The
origin of these different colours in thin films was explained by Thomas Young on the basis of interference
of multiple reflected waves of light as the films are usually observed by the reflected light.

The optical path difference between the two interfering rays in reflected light is  = 2µt cos r – · When
2
white light is used to illuminate the film then, for a particular value of t and r (i.e., at a particular point of
the film and for a particular position of the eye), the waves of only certain wavelengths (colours) satisfy
the condition of maxima. Therefore, only those colours are seen in the reflected light. There will also be
certain wavelengths which satisfy the condition of minima and therefore these colours will be absent.
Clearly, the colouration of the film varies with t and r (i.e., the thickness of the film and position of eye).
As the condition of maxima and minima for transmitted light are opposite to those for reflected light,
therefore with white light, the colours visible in the reflected light will be complementary to the colours
visible in the transmitted light.

Colours of Thick Films

If a film of large thickness (t >> ) is illuminated by white light, colours are not observed in the reflected
light.
Colours in Very Thin Film
If an excessively thin film is illuminated by white light, it appears black in reflected light. We know,

  2 t c o s r  , when t <<  = /2
2
This is condition for minima and is true for all wavelengths. Thus, every wavelength will be absent in the
reflected light and hence the film will appear black even when illuminated by white light.

Necessity of Broad Source

In the case of interference in thin films, the narrow source limits the visibility of the film.
If a point source is used to illuminate a thin film, the light reflected from all corresponding points on the
film does not reach the eye. The rays from a small portion of the film can enter in the eye. Hence the entire
film cannot be seen by the eye placed in a fixed position [Fig. 7(a)].
Point source Eye
S

(a)

rce
so u
d ed Eye
te n
Ex

(b)
Fig. 7
If an extended source is used, the rays from different points of the source are reflected from different parts
of the film so as to enter eye placed in a fixed position. Hence the whole film can be viewed at the same
time by keeping the eye at one place only [Fig. 7(b)]. Hence colours are easily seen.

NUMERICAL

Q. Light of wavelength 5890Å falls on a thin glass plate (µ = 1.5) such that the angle of refraction
in plate is 60°. Calculate the minimum thickness of the plate so that the plate appears bright in the
reflected light.
Solution. Given: µ = 1.5,  = 5890Å = 5.89 × 10–7 m, r = 60°.
The condition for constructive interference in the reflected light is,
2µt cos r = (2n - 1) /2
For the minimum thickness, n = 1, 2µt cos r = /2
t =/4cos r =5.89× 10–7 / 4× 1.5× cos60=5.89× 10–7 / 4 ×1.5× (1/2) =1.963 × 10–7 m.
 Q. Calculate the thickness of a soap film (refractive index = 1.463) that will result in constructive
interference in the reflected light, if the film is illuminated with light whose wavelength in free
space is 6000Å.
Solution. The condition for constructive interference in the reflected light is given by the relation:
2µt cos r = (2n - 1) /2 Or t =(2n - 1) /4µ cos r
For smallest thickness, n = 1 and cos r = 1
 t = /4µ or t =6000Å/ 4 ×1.463 =6000Å/ 5.852 =1025Å

Q. A soap film (µ = 1.33) is illuminated with light of different wavelengths at an angle of 45°.
There is complete destructive interference for  = 5890Å. Calculate the thickness of the soap film.
Solution. Given: µ = 1.33, i = 45°, µ = sin i/sin r
 sin r = sin 45°/1.33 = 1/√2 x 1.33 = 0.5317  cos r = √(1-sin2 r) = 0.8469
For destructive interference,
2µt cos r = nor 2 × 1.33 × t × 0.8469 =1 × 5890 × 10–10
or t= 2.614 × 10–7 m = 2.614 × 10–4 mm.

Q. A film of refractive index µ is illuminated by white light at an angle of incidence i. In reflected

light two consecutive bright fringes of wavelengths 1 and 2 are found overlapping. Obtain an
expression for thickness of the film.
Solution. The condition for bright fringes in reflected light is
2µt cos r = (2n - 1) /2 ... (1)
According to question, if n and (n + 1) are the orders of the consecutive bright fringes for 1 and 2, then:
2µt cos r = (2n – 1)1 / 2= [2(n + 1)-1]2 / 2 ... (2)
or 2µt cos r = (2n – 1)1 = (2n + 1)2
or (2n – 1)1 =(2n + 1)2 or 2n1 – 1 = 2n2 + 2
or 2n = (1 + 2) / (1 – 2) ... (3)
Also, µ =sin i / sin r or sin r = sin i/µ, cos r = √[1-sin2 r] = √[1- (sin2 i / µ2)] = √[ µ2 - sin2 i] / µ
or µ cos r = √[ µ - sin i]
2 2 ... (4)
From equation (2), (3) and (4), we get
2µt cos r = (2n – 1)1 / 2 or t = (2n – 1)1 / 4µ cos r
or t = (2n – 1)1 / 4µ cos r = ([(1 + 2) / (1 – 2)]-1) 1/ 4√[ µ2 - sin2 i]
or t = 12 / 2 (1 – 2)√[ µ2 - sin2 i]

Q. A man whose eyes are 150 cm above the oil film on water surface observes greenish colour
at a distance of 100 cm from his feet. Calculate the probable thickness of the film.
green = 5000Å, oil = 1.4, water = 1.33
Solution.

Condition for maxima is given by

2µt cos r = (2n - 1) /2, cos r = √[1-sin2 r] = √[1- (sin2 i / µ2)] =√[ µ2 - sin2 i] / µ
 or µ cos r =√[ µ2 - sin2 i],  2t√[ µ2 - sin2 i] = (2n - 1) /2
or t =(2n - 1) /4√[ µ - sin i]
2 2

From Fig.,
tan i = 100/150 = 2 / 3,  sin i = 2 / √13
 t = (2n - 1) /4√[ µ - sin i] = (2n - 1) /4√[1.6523]
2 2

= (2n – 1) × 9.725 × 10– 6 cm, n = 1, 2, 3, ......

 t = 9.725 × 10– 6 cm, 29.175 × 10– 6 cm, 48.625 × 10– 6 cm, etc.

Q. A thin film is illuminated by white light at an angle of incidence, i = sin–1 (4/5). In reflected
light, two dark consecutive overlapping fringes are observed corresponding to wavelengths 6.1 ×
10–7 m and 6.0 × 10–7 m. µ for the film is (4/3). Find the thickness of the film.

Solution. If n and (n + 1) are the orders of the consecutive dark fringes for 1 and 2, then
2µt cos r = n1 = (n + 1)2 or n1 = (n + 1)2
or n (6.1 × 10–7) = (n + 1) × 6 × 10–7 or n = 60
Given, sin i = 4/5,  = 4/3  µ = 4/3 = sin i / sin r = (4/5) / sin r
or sin r = 0.6 or cos r = [1 – sin2 r]1/2 = 0.8
Also, 2µt cos r = n1, t = n1 / 2µ cos r = 60 × 6.1 × 10– 7 / 2 × (4/3) × 0.8
or t = 1.72 × 10–5 m.