Interference pattern after the region of the interference

In summary, the conversation discusses light interference and how it creates patterns on a screen. The question is raised about whether the pattern will still be visible on screens B and C after the beams leave the interference region. It is mentioned that there is no lasting effect of interference on light beams. The redistribution of energy takes place during interference and there is no way to tell if a wave has been previously interfered with. An article from 2005 is referenced, which discusses the redistribution of energy in electromagnetic wave interactions. The possibility of diffraction patterns and the lack of light from the other source is also mentioned. Ultimately, it is concluded that the pattern may remain, but due to wave divergence and small distances, it disappears quickly.
  • #1
valeriy2222
14
0
Hi,

I'm concerned about one question about light interference.
It's said that light energy is redistributed during interference. That creates pattern. One slit or double slit interference create maximums and minimums on the screen where the interference takes place.

Now imagine a situation (look at the picture) where two beams interfering with each other under a certain angle and we have the region of interference (region A). Further down along the beams we have screens (B and C). Each of the screens placed in a way that one screen receives the light coming from one slit.

Being in the region of interference (region A) the beams should form an interference pattern thus redistributing the beams energy. The question is whether any pattern will be seen on screens A and B when the beams leave the interference region (consider uniform intensity distribution when the beams leave the slits).

[URL]http://img4.immage.de/2605940456untitled.png[/URL]
(Different colors represent nothing expect a better look)
 
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  • #2
Well, they will show single slit interference.

But it seems like you might be asking what lasting effects the interference has on the light beams. There is none. Interference effects waves only at the point where the interference takes place. There is no way to tell if a wave has been previously interfered with.
 
  • #3
The redistribution of energy takes place during interference. Energy from a place of a destructive interference goes to a place of a constructive interference.

[PLAIN]http://goldberg.lbl.gov/img/interference_pattern.jpg


At these black spots there are no energy since it is redistributed to the white spots. In other words, no moving waves exist at the black spots, and therefore the pattern should remain even when a wave leave the interference region.

I speak about interference case. Do not think about beams having different frequencies or anything else.
 
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  • #4
I ask that question because I found an article written in 2005 where such experiment was done. The only thing that it was performed with microwaves (3cm) and not the light waves which should not really make any difference. They came to the result that it saves some kind of the pattern even when waves do not cross each other.

[URL]http://img6.immage.de/270595034untitled.png[/URL]

The article is "Redistribution of Energy in Electromagnetic Wave Interactions"
Sri Lankan Journal of Physics, Vol. 6 (2005) 51-64
http://www.ip-sl.org/sljp/v6/sljp-v6-6.pdf
 
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  • #5
If there is really no light from the other slit then it's simply diffraction pattern (same as single slit). But why there is no light from the other source? If it is exhibiting single slit diffraction, then there is light originated from the othersource, the only posibility is that the distance between slits is very big and distance between slit and screen is also huge. Then the photons come from the other slit is so few that it canbe neglected.
 
  • #6
ZealScience said:
If there is really no light from the other slit then it's simply diffraction pattern (same as single slit). But why there is no light from the other source? If it is exhibiting single slit diffraction, then there is light originated from the othersource, the only posibility is that the distance between slits is very big and distance between slit and screen is also huge. Then the photons come from the other slit is so few that it canbe neglected.

They made the radiation go like it shown on the picture.



I personally think that the redistribution takes place and the pattern remains, but due to the wave divergence and small distances between maximums and minimums the pattern disappears quickly.
 

1. What is an interference pattern?

An interference pattern is a phenomenon that occurs when two or more waves overlap and interact with each other. This results in areas of constructive and destructive interference, creating a pattern of alternating bright and dark regions.

2. How is an interference pattern formed?

An interference pattern is formed when two or more waves with the same frequency and amplitude overlap and interfere with each other. This can occur with any type of wave, such as light, sound, or water waves.

3. What happens to an interference pattern after the region of interference?

After the region of interference, the waves continue to propagate and the interference pattern may continue to evolve. The pattern may become more complex as the waves interact with other objects or surfaces, or it may gradually dissipate as the waves disperse.

4. What factors affect the interference pattern?

The interference pattern can be affected by several factors, including the frequency and amplitude of the waves, the distance between the sources, and the medium through which the waves are traveling. The interference pattern can also be influenced by the properties of the objects or surfaces that the waves interact with.

5. How is the interference pattern used in science and technology?

The interference pattern has many applications in science and technology. In optics, it is used to create holograms and interferometers for measuring distances. In physics, it is used to study the properties of waves and the nature of light. It is also used in various technologies, such as in noise cancelling headphones and in the production of thin film coatings for electronic devices.

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