CHAPTER 10

WAVE OPTICS
Wavefront
The locus of all the particles of the medium, which at any instant are vibrating in the same phase,
is called wavefront. (i.e.) A wavefront is defined as a surface of constant phase. The speed with
which the wavefront moves outward from the source is called the speed of the wave. The energy
of the wave travels in a direction perpendicular to the wavefront. An arrow drawn normal to the
wavefront and pointing in the direction of propagation of disturbance represents a ray of light.

• Rays are perpendicular to wavefronts.

• The time taken for light to travel from one wavefront to another is the same along any
ray.
Types of wavefront
Depending upon the shape of the source of light, wavefront can be of the following types.
1. Spherical wavefront : A spherical wavefront is produced by a point source of light. It is
because, the locus of all such points, which are equidistant from the point source, is a
sphere.

2. Cylindrical wavefront: When

the source of light is linear in
shape (such as a slit), a
cylindrical wavefront is
produced. It is because, all the
points, which are equidistant
from the linear source, lie on
the surface of a cylinder.

3. Plane wavefront: A small part

of a spherical or a cylindrical
wavefront originating from a
distant source will appear plane
and hence it is called a plane
wavefront.

Wave Optics 35
Huygens principle
Statement:
• Each point of the wavefront is the source of a secondary disturbance and the wavelets
emanating from these points spread out in all directions with the speed of the wave.
• The wavelets emanating from the wavefront are usually referred to as secondary wavelets
and if a common tangent is drawn to all these spheres, the new position of the wavefront
called secondary wavefront can be obtained at a later time.

Construction of Spherical wavefront

Consider a diverging wave emanating from a point source 𝑂 [Fig.1(a)]. Let 𝐹1 𝐹2 be the position
of wavefront at 𝑡 = 0. Using Huygens principle the shape of the wavefront at a later time 𝜏 can
be found by drawing spheres of radius 𝑣𝜏 from each point on the spherical wavefront where 𝑣
represents the speed of the waves in the medium. A common tangent drawn to all these spheres,
give the new position of the wavefront at 𝑡 = 𝜏. The new wavefront shown as 𝐺1 𝐺2 in Fig. 1 is
again spherical with point O as the centre. The backwave 𝐷1 𝐷2 does not exist. According to
Huygen, the amplitude of the secondary wavelets is maximum in the forward direction and zero in
the backward direction. 𝐹1 𝐹2 is called as primary wavefront and 𝐺1 𝐺2 as secondary wavefront.

Fig.1(a) Fig.1(b)

Construction of Plane wavefront

Consider a plane wave propagating to the right as given in Fig.1[b]. 𝐹1 𝐹2 is the plane wavefront
called primary wavefront at 𝑡 = 0. The secondary wavefront 𝐺1 𝐺2 at a later time 𝜏 can be
obtained by drawing spheres of radius 𝑣𝜏 from each point on the primary plane wavefront. A
common tangent drawn to all these spheres, give the new position of the wavefront 𝐺1 𝐺2 at
𝑡 = 𝜏.

Wave Optics 36
Refraction And Reflection Of Plane Waves Using Huygens Principle
(i) Refraction of a plane wave at a denser medium

Fig.2
Let 𝑃𝑃′ represent the surface separating medium 1 and medium 2, as shown in Fig. 2. Let 𝑣1 and
𝑣2 represent the speed of light in medium 1 and medium 2, respectively. A plane wavefront 𝐴𝐵
propagating in the direction 𝐴′𝐴 incident on the interface at an angle 𝑖 as shown in the figure. Let
𝜏 be the time taken by the wavefront to travel the distance 𝐵𝐶 . Thus
𝐵𝐶 = 𝑣1 𝜏
To get the position of refracted wavefront after 𝜏 seconds, a sphere of radius 𝑣2 𝜏 from the point
𝐴 in the second medium is drawn. 𝐶𝐸 represents a tangent plane drawn from the point 𝐶 on to
the sphere. Then, 𝐴𝐸 = 𝑣2 𝜏 and 𝐶𝐸 would represent the refracted wavefront.
𝐵𝐶 𝑣1 𝜏
From the triangle 𝐴𝐵𝐶 , sin 𝑖 = = -------------------------> (1)
𝐴𝐶 𝐴𝐶
𝐴𝐸 𝑣2 𝜏
And from the triangle 𝐴𝐸𝐶 , sin 𝑟 = = -------------------------> (2)
𝐴𝐶 𝐴𝐶

where 𝑟 is the angle of refraction.

sin 𝑖 𝑣1
∴ = -------------------------> (3)
sin 𝑟 𝑣2

Equation (3) proves that if 𝑟 < 𝑖, the speed of the light wave in the second medium (𝑣2 ) will be
less then the speed of the light wave in the first medium (𝑣1 ).

If 𝑐 represents the speed of light in vacuum, then,

𝑐 𝑐
𝑛1 = & 𝑛2 =
𝑣1 𝑣2

Wave Optics 37
Hence equation (3) becomes

sin 𝑖 𝑛2
=
sin 𝑟 𝑛1

This proves the Snell’s law of refraction.

From Fig.2 , the incident ray, the refracted ray and the normal at the point of incidence all lie in
the same plane. This proves the first law of refraction. Thus laws of refraction are verifed using
Huygen’s principle.

To prove that frequency (𝝂) remains constant during refraction

Let 𝜆1 and 𝜆2 denote the wavelengths of light in medium 1 and medium 2, respectively. If the
distance 𝐵𝐶 is equal to 𝜆1 then the distance 𝐴𝐸 will be equal to 𝜆2 . Because if the crest from 𝐵
has reached 𝐶 in time 𝜏, then the crest from 𝐴 should have also reached 𝐸 in time 𝜏. Thus
𝜆1 𝐵𝐶 𝑣1 𝜏 𝑣1
= = =
𝜆2 𝐴𝐸 𝑣2 𝜏 𝑣2
𝑣1 𝑣2
(i.e) =
𝜆1 𝜆2

Or 𝜈1 = 𝜈2
The above equation implies that when a wave gets refracted into a denser medium (𝑣1 > 𝑣2 ),
the wavelength and the speed of propagation decrease but the frequency 𝜈 (= 𝑣/𝜆) remains
the same. (i.e) Frequency remains the same during refraction.

(ii) Refraction of a plane wave at a rarer medium

Construction of refracted wavefront and arriving at laws of refraction using Huygen’s principle can
be done in the similar manner as refraction at a denser medium.

Wave Optics 38
Reflection of a plane wave by a plane surface

Fig.4
Consider a plane wave 𝐴𝐵 incident at an angle 𝑖 on a reflecting surface 𝑀𝑁. If 𝑣 represents the
speed of the wave in the medium and if 𝜏 represents the time taken by the wavefront to advance
from the point 𝐵 to 𝐶 then the distance 𝐵𝐶 = 𝑣𝜏. Draw a sphere of radius 𝑣𝜏 from the point
𝐴 as shown in Fig. 4. Let 𝐶𝐸 represent the tangent plane drawn from the point 𝐶 to this sphere
so that 𝐶𝐸 gives the reflected wavefront.

𝐴𝐸 = 𝐵𝐶 = 𝑣𝜏
In Fig.(4) the triangles 𝐸𝐴𝐶 and 𝐵𝐴𝐶 are congruent and therefore, the angles 𝑖 and 𝑟 would be
equal.
From the figure, the incident ray, the reflected ray and the normal at the point of incidence all lie
in the same plane.
Thus laws of reflection are verifed using Huygen’s principle.

Behaviour of the wavefronts as they undergo reflection or refraction

Refraction of a plane wave by
(a) a thin prism
Consider a plane wave passing through a thin prism. Since the speed of light waves is less in glass,
the lower portion of the incoming wavefront which travels through the greatest thickness of glass
will get delayed resulting in a tilt in the emerging wavefront as shown in Fig.5(a). The emerging
wavefront is a tilted plane wavefront.

Fig. 5

Wave Optics 39
(b) a convex lens
Consider a plane wave incident on a thin convex lens as in Fig. 5(b). The central part of the incident
plane wave traverses the thickest portion of the lens and is delayed the most. The emerging
wavefront has a depression at the centre and therefore the refracted wavefront is a spherical
wavefront and it converges to the point 𝐹 which is known as the focus.
Reflection of a plane wave by a concave mirror
In Fig. 5(c) a plane wave is incident on a concave mirror and on reflection a spherical wavefront
converging to the focal point 𝐹 will be obtained. Due to the shape of the concave mirror, the light
has to travel more distance w.r.t. the pole than with the edges. This makes the reflected wavefront
to be spherical.
Interference
Coherent and incoherent sources
Two sources are said to be coherent, if they emit light waves of same frequency or wavelength and
of a stable phase difference.
Two sources are said to be incoherent, if they have a phase difference which is not stable, but itself
varies from 0 to 2Π during the time interval of the measurement.
There are two general methods of producing coherent sources of light.
• Division of wavefront: In this method, the wavefront is divided into two parts.
Eg.Young’s double slit experiment.
• Division of amplitude: In this method, the amplitude of the incident beam is divided into
two or more parts either by partial reflection or refraction. Eg. Michelson interferometer.
Interference of light
The phenomenon of non uniform distribution of energy in the mediium due to superposition of
two light waves is interference of light.
At some points in the medium, the intensity of light is maximum and is called as constructive
interference, while at some other points, the intensity is minimum and leads to destructive
interference. Due to interference of the light waves, we get alternate bright and dark bands of
light called interference fringes.
Young’s Double Slit Experiment (YDSE)

Wave Optics 40
Young’s Double Slit arrangement uses division of wavefront for the production of coherent sources
for obtaining interference pattern. In this arrangement a beam of light is first made to pass through
a narrow slit 𝑆 . Light coming out of this is made to illuminated a pair of fine slits 𝑆1 and 𝑆2
separated by a small distance 𝑑 .
The spherical wave spread from 𝑆 and then, two sets of spherical waves of same amplitude and
wavelength emerge from 𝑆1 and 𝑆2 . If a screen is placed on the right of 𝑆1 and 𝑆2 , coloured
interference bands of varying intensity will be obtained for white light. If a monochromatic light is
used, alternately dark and bright bands will be obtained as in Fig.6
➢ At points where a crest falls over a crest or a trough over a trough, the vibrations are large.
At these points the path difference between the waves from 𝑆1 and 𝑆2 will be even multiple
𝜆
of . Such postions correspond to maximum amplitude and result bright fringes (𝐵).
2
➢ At points where a crest of one falls over the trough of the other, the intensity is minimum.
𝜆
At these points, the path difference is a odd multiple of and result dark fringes(𝐷).
2
Thus on the screen alternate dark and bright fringes are obtained. These fringes are called
interference fringes.
Conditions for sustained interference of light waves
To obtain sustained interference pattern, the intensity must be maximum and zero at points
corresponding to constructive and destructive interference respectively. To get this the following
conditions must be fulfilled.
1. The two interfering sources must be coherent, (i.e.) the sources should emit light of same
wavelength or frequency and their initial phase should remain constant.
2. The interfering waves must have equal amplitudes.
3. The two interfering waves must be propagated along the same line.
4. The separation between the two sources must be small as possible.
5. The source and screen must be far enough to produce wide fringes.
6. The two sources must be narrow and should emit the light waves continously.

Principle of superposition of light waves

It states that when two or more wave trains of light travelling in a medium superimpose upon each
other, then the resultant displacement at any instant is equal to the vector sum of the displacement
due to individual waves. If ⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑦1 , ⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑦2 , ⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑦3 , … … … …. be the displacements due to different waves,
then the resultant displacement is given by

𝑦 = ⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑦1 + ⃗⃗⃗⃗ 𝑦3 + …………………
𝑦2 + ⃗⃗⃗⃗
Constructive and destructive interference in YDSE

Wave Optics 41
The schematic diagram of Young’s double slit experiment is given in Fig.7. Light waves spread out
from 𝑆 and fall on both 𝑆1 and 𝑆2 . 𝑆1 and 𝑆2 then behave like two coherent sources because light
waves coming out from them are derived from the same original source and any abrupt phase
change in 𝑆 will manifest in exactly similar phase changes in the light coming out from 𝑆1 and 𝑆2 .
Thus, the two sources 𝑆1 and 𝑆2 will be locked in phase.

Consider a point 𝑃 on the screen at a distance 𝑥 from 𝑂 (Fig.7). Let 𝜑 and ∆ be the phase difference
and path difference respectively between the waves coming from 𝑆1 and 𝑆2 w.r.t. the point 𝑃.

The displacement produced by the wave from 𝑆1 w.r.t. the point 𝑃 is given by
𝑦1 = 𝑎 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜔𝑡
where 𝑎 is the amplitude of the wave and 𝜔 is its angular frequency.

The displacement produced by the wave from 𝑆2 w.r.t. the point 𝑃 is given by

𝑦2 = 𝑎 𝑐𝑜𝑠 (𝜔𝑡 + 𝜑 )
According to the principle of superposition the resultant displacement at 𝑃 is given by

𝑦 = 𝑦1 + 𝑦2
𝑦 = 𝑎 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜔𝑡 + 𝑎 𝑐𝑜𝑠 (𝜔𝑡 + 𝜑 )
𝑦 = 𝑎 [cos ωt + cos (ωt +φ)]
𝑦 = 2 a cos (φ/2) cos (ωt + φ/2) -------------------------> (4)
A+B A−B
[∵ cos A + cos B = 2 cos ( ) cos ( 2 )]
2

In equation (4), 2 𝑎 cos (φ/2) represents the resultant amplitude 𝐴.

(i.e.) 𝐴 = 2 𝑎 cos (φ/2)

The intensity of the wave is proportional to square of its amplitude. Then the intensity of the
resultant wave is given by
φ φ
𝐼 = 4 𝑎2 cos2 ( 2 ) = 4 𝐼0 cos2 ( 2 ) -------------------------> (5)

where 𝐼0 represents the intensity produced by each one of the individual sources and it is
proportional to 𝑎2 .
Condition for constructive interference
φ
According to equation (5), the intensity at 𝑃 will be maximum, if cos 2 ( ) = 1
2

Or φ = 0, 2π, 4π, 6π, ……….

In general, φ = 2n𝜋
-------------------------> (6)
where n = 0, 1,2,3, … … …
The two waves from 𝑆1 and 𝑆2 reach 𝑃 after covering unequal paths. A path difference 𝜆 is equal
to a phase difference of 2𝜋. ∴ If the two waves from 𝑆1 and 𝑆2 reaching 𝑃 have a path difference
of Δ, then the phase difference between them will be

Wave Optics 42
 2𝜋
φ= Δ -------------------------> (7)
𝜆
2𝜋
From equations (6) and (7) Δ = 2n𝜋
𝜆

(or) Δ = nλ -------------------------> (8)

where n = 0, 1,2,3, … … …
Equations (6) and (8) give the condition for constructive interference in terms of phase difference
and path difference respectively. These equations show that, the point 𝑃 will have maximum
intensity, if the phase difference between them is an even integral multiple of 𝜋 or the path
difference is integral multiple of λ .
Condition for destructive interference
φ
According to equation (5), the intensity at 𝑃 will be minimum, if cos 2 ( ) = 0
2

Or φ = π, 3π, 5π, ……….

In general,
φ = (2n + 1)𝜋
-------------------------> (9)
where n = 0, 1,2,3, … … …
2𝜋
From equations (7) and (9) Δ = (2n + 1)𝜋
𝜆
(or) (2n + 1)λ -------------------------> (10)
Δ=
2
where n = 0, 1,2,3, … … …
Equations (9) and (10) give the condition for desstructive interference in terms of phase differene
and path difference respectively. These equations show that, the point 𝑃 will have minimum
intensity, if the phase difference between them is an odd integral multiple of 𝜋 or the path
difference is integral multiple of λ⁄2 .
Intensity distribution in Young’s double slit experiment

Fig.8

Wave Optics 43
The conditions given by equations (6), (8), (9) & (10) for constructive and destructive interference
will be true only when the two sources are coherent. If they are not coherent, the phase difference
changes very rapidly with time, the positions of maxima and minima will also vary rapidly with time
and “time-averaged” intensity distribution will be observed. The average intensity will be given
by
φ
〈𝐼〉 = 4 𝐼0 〈 cos2 ( ) 〉
2
φ 1
If 𝜑(𝑡) varies randomly with time, the time-averaged quantity 〈 cos 2 ( ) 〉 will be .
2 2

∴ 〈𝐼〉 = 2 𝐼0
Thus, the intensities of two sources will be added up when the two sources are incoherent.
Note:
Ratio of intensity of light at maxima and minima
If 𝑎1 and 𝑎2 are the amplitude of the light waves that come from 𝑆1 and 𝑆2 respectively, then
ratio of intensity of light at maxima and minima is given by

𝐼𝑚𝑎𝑥 (𝑎1 + 𝑎2 )2
=
𝐼𝑚𝑖𝑛 (𝑎1 − 𝑎2 )2

Ratio of the width of the slits

If 𝑤1 and 𝑤2 are the width of the two slits 𝑆1 and 𝑆2 , 𝐼1 and 𝐼2 are the intensities of light due to
the respective slits on the screen, then
𝑤1 ∝ 𝐼1 and 𝑤2 ∝ 𝐼2
𝑤1 𝐼
∴ = 1 -------------------------> (11)
𝑤2 𝐼2

∵ 𝐼 ∝ 𝑎2
𝐼1 𝑎12
= -------------------------> (12)
𝐼2 𝑎22

From equations (11) and (12)

𝑤1 𝑎21
=
𝑤2 𝑎22
Fringe width (𝜷)
The distance between any two consecutive bright or dark fringe is called (linear) fringe width. It is
given by
𝜆𝐷
𝛽= -------------------------> (13)
𝑑

If the entire apparatus is kept in a medium of refractive index 𝑛, then the fringe width will be

Wave Optics 44
 𝜆′𝐷
𝛽′ =
𝑑
where 𝜆′ is the wavelength of light in the given medium of refractive index 𝑛.
𝜆
And 𝜆′ =
𝑛
′ 𝜆𝐷
Hence 𝛽 =
𝑛𝑑

𝛽
(i.e.) 𝛽′ =
𝑛

Thus, fringe width 𝛽 ∝ 𝜆

∝ 𝐷
1
∝
𝑑
1
∝
𝑛
Angular Fringe width (𝜽)
The angular separation between successive maxima is angular fringe width. It is given by
𝛽 𝜆𝐷
𝜃= =
𝐷 𝑑𝐷
(or) 𝜆
𝜃=
𝑑

If the entire apparatus is kept in a medium of refractive index 𝑛, then the angular fringe width will
be
𝜃
𝜃′ =
𝑛

Thus, angular fringe width 𝜃 ∝ 𝜆

1
∝
𝑑
1
∝
𝑛
And 𝜃 is independent of the distance between the slits and the screen (𝐷) .
Diffraction
When light incident on a narrow opening or an obstacle, in its path, it is bent at the edges of the
obstacle or opening.

Consider a source 𝑆 and a narrow circular aperture 𝐴𝐵 and a screen as given in Fig.9. If light
follows straight line path strictly, then the part 𝐶𝐷 of the screen will be uniformly illuminated,
while the remaining part should be perfectly dark. But it is observed that in region 𝐶𝐷 , there
appear some dark and bright fringes and also the intensity is not strictly zero beyond 𝐶 and 𝐷 .
This is possible only if light rays bend from corners 𝐴 and 𝐵 of the aperture. This is called
diffraction and the pattern of dark and bright fringes obtained on the is the diffraction pattern.

Wave Optics 45
 Fig.9
Thus, the departure of light from the true rectilinear path or bending of light round the corners of
the obstacle is called diffraction.
For diffraction the size of the obstacle must be of the order of the wavelength of light.
Diffraction at a single slit

Let 𝐴𝐵 be a slit of width 𝑎 and a parallel beam of monochromatic light is incident on it. The
diffraction pattern is the result of superposition of a large number of waves, starting from different
points of illuminated slit.

Let 𝜃 be the angle of diffraction for waves reaching at point 𝑃 on the screen and 𝐴𝐶 be the
perpendicular dropped from 𝐴 on the wave diffracted from 𝐵 .

The path difference between rays diffracted at points 𝐴 and 𝐵 = 𝐵𝑃 − 𝐴𝑃 = 𝐵𝐶.

In ⊿𝐴𝐵𝐶, ∠𝐴𝐶𝐵 = 900 and ∠𝐵𝐴𝐶 = 𝜃.
𝐵𝐶 𝐵𝐶
∴ 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 = = [∵ 𝐴𝐵 = 𝑠𝑙𝑖𝑡 𝑤𝑖𝑑𝑡ℎ = 𝑎]
𝐴𝐵 𝑎
∴ Path difference = 𝑎 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 -------------------------> (14)

Wave Optics 46
Central maximum : At the central point 𝑃0 on the screen, the angle 𝜃 is zero. All path differences
are zero and hence all the parts of the slit contribute in phase. This gives maximum intensity at 𝑃0 .
Experimental observations show that

➢ The intensity has a central maximum at 𝜃 = 0

(2n+1)λ
➢ Secondary maxima at θn ≈ , 𝑛 = ±1, ±2, ±3, ...
2𝑎
𝑛λ
➢ Minima (zero intensity) at θn ≈ , 𝑛 = ±1, ±2, ±3, ...
𝑎
Minima : If point 𝑃 on the screen is such that the path difference between the light coming from
𝐴 and 𝐵 is λ, then from equation (14) ,
Path difference = 𝑎 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 = λ
λ
Or 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 =
𝑎
λ
If 𝜃 is small, 𝜃= . Such a point on the screen will be the postion of first secondary minimum.
𝑎
If the slit is assumeed to be divided into two equal parts, then wavelets from the corresponding
λ
points of the two halves of the slit will have a path difference of . (i.e.) wavelets from the two
2
halves will reach the point 𝑃 on the screen in opposite phase so as to produce minimum. Similary
it can be shown that the intensity is zero for
𝑛λ
θn ≈ , 𝑛 = ±1, ±2, ±3, ... -------------------------> (15)
𝑎
If 𝑦𝑛 is the distance between the nth minimum from the centre of the screen and 𝐷 is the distance
between the screen and the slit, then the position of n th minima can be given as
𝑛λD
𝑦𝑛 = , 𝑛 = ±1, ±2, ±3, ... -------------------------> (16)
𝑎
Secondary Maxima : If point 𝑃 on the screen is such that the path difference between the light
(2n+1)λ
coming from 𝐴 and 𝐵 is , then from equation (14) ,
2
(2n+1)λ
Path difference = 𝑎 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 =
2
, 𝑛 = ±1, ±2, ±3, ...
(2n+1)λ
Or 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 =
2𝑎
(2n+1)λ
If 𝜃 is small, 𝜃=
2𝑎
(2n+1)λ
In general 𝜃𝑛 = 𝑛 = ±1, ±2, ±3, ... -------------------------> (17)
2𝑎
3λ
When 𝑛 = 1, 𝜃1 = . If the slit is assumeed to be divided into three equal parts, then
2𝑎
wavelets from the corresponding points of the two parts will reach 𝑃 in opposite phase, cancelling
the effect of each other. The wavelet from the third part of the slit remain and produce the first

Wave Optics 47
maximum at 𝑃. Similary when 𝑛 = 2, 3, ….., maxima is obtained due to the contribution from
one-fifth, one-seventh of the slit. This leads to the decrease in intensity as 𝑛 increases.
If 𝑦𝑛 is the distance between the nth maximum from the centre of the screen and 𝐷 is the distance
between the screen and the slit, then the position of n th minima can be given as
(2𝑛+1)λD
𝑦𝑛 = , 𝑛 = ±1, ±2, ±3, ... -------------------------> (18)
2𝑎
Fringe width (𝜷) of secondary maxima or minima
The distance between any two consecutive bright or dark fringe is called (linear) fringe width. It is
given by
𝜆𝐷
𝛽=
𝑎

Angular Fringe width (𝜽) of secondary maxima or minima

The angular separation between successive maxima is angular fringe width. It is given by
𝛽 𝜆𝐷
𝜃= =
𝐷 𝑎𝐷
(or) 𝜆
𝜃=
𝑎

Fringe width of central maximum (𝜷𝟎 )

The central maximum extends up to the distance 𝑦1 on both sides of the centre of the screen.
Hence the width of the central maximum will be twice that of any other secondary maxima or
minima.
2𝜆𝐷
(i.e) 𝛽0 = 2 𝑦1 =
𝑎
Or 𝛽0 = 2𝛽
If the entire apparatus is kept in a medium of refractive index 𝑛, then the linear and angular fringe
width will become
𝛽
𝛽′ =
𝑛
𝜃
And 𝜃′ =
𝑛
Intensity distribution in Young’s double slit experiment

Wave Optics 48
Interference Vs diffraction

Similarity
In interference and diffraction, light energy is redistributed. If it reduces in one region, producing
a dark fringe, it increases in another region, producing a bright fringe. There is no gain or loss of
energy, which is consistent with the principle of conservation of energy.
Difference
S.No Interference Diffraction
1 The phenomenon of non uniform The departure of light from the true rectilinear
distribution of energy in the mediium path or bending of light round the corners of the
due to superposition of two light obstacle is called diffraction.
waves is interference of light.
2 The interference pattern is obtained The diffraction pattern is a superposition of a
by superposing two waves originating continuous family of waves originating from each
from the two narrow slits. point on a single slit.
3

At an angle of λ/a, first maximum is For a single slit of width a, at an angle of λ/a,
obtained for a single slit of width a, first minimum is obtained.
4 The intensity of fringes remain the The intensity falls as we go to successive maxima
same away from the centre, on either side
5 The fringe width is the same for all Central bright maximum width is twice as wide
fringes. as the other maxima.

Fresnel distance (𝒁𝑭 )

Fresnel distance is defined as the minimum distance that
is traveled by a ray of light along the linear path before
diffraction.

If an aperture (i.e., slit or hole) of size 𝑎 is illuminated by

a parallel beam of wavelength 𝜆, Fresnel’s distance is
given by
𝑎2
𝑍𝐹 =
𝜆
➢ For distances much smaller than 𝑍𝐹 , the spreading due to diffraction is smaller compared
to the size of the beam.
➢ It becomes comparable when the distance is approximately 𝑍𝐹 .
➢ For distances much greater than 𝑍𝐹 , the spreading due to diffraction dominates over that
due to ray optics (i.e., the size a of the aperture). Equation (10.31) also shows that ray optics
is valid in the limit of wavelength tending to zero.
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Wave Optics 49