Destructive Interference in Thin Film Interference

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the phenomenon of destructive interference in thin film interference, specifically involving two glass plates separated by a thin sheet of cellophane. When illuminated by a sodium vapor lamp, an alternating pattern of bright and dark lines is observed due to the interference of light waves reflected from the surfaces of the glass and cellophane. The relationship derived for destructive interference is given by the equation x = (l/2d) λ(n + 1/2), accounting for the additional path difference introduced when light reflects off a denser medium, such as glass.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of wave interference principles
  • Familiarity with the concept of thin films in optics
  • Knowledge of light reflection and refraction
  • Basic grasp of wavelength (λ) and path difference
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the principles of thin film interference in detail
  • Explore the mathematical derivation of interference patterns
  • Learn about the applications of destructive interference in optical devices
  • Investigate the effects of varying thickness in thin films on interference patterns
USEFUL FOR

Students and professionals in physics, particularly those focusing on optics, as well as educators teaching wave phenomena and interference concepts.

willydavidjr
Messages
66
Reaction score
0
Two oblong pieces of plane glass are separated from each other by a thin sheet of cellophane and held together with rubber bands, as shown in figure(I provided a website for the figure below), where the amount of separation is much exaggerated. If you place a "sodium vapor lam" vertically above the glass plates, you will observe an alternate series of very close bright and dark lines. A light wave is reflected at point A and simply forms a returning wave. Some of the original light wave crosses the narrow air gap and is reflected at point B. If it advances across the air gap as a trough, then it is reflected at point B as a crest.

Question: The length of the wedge-shaped space between the two glasses is l, the thickness of the thin sheet of cellophane is d, and the distance between point C and point A (or B) is x as shown in the figure.Supposing the result is destructive interference or darkness. Find the relation between x, \lambda,l and d.

My idea:
I think their relation is x=\frac{l}{2d} \lambda(n + \frac{1}{2})


This is the website: www.geocities.com/willydavidjr/interference.html
 

Attachments

  • thininterference.JPG
    thininterference.JPG
    12.7 KB · Views: 556
Physics news on Phys.org
At A the ray is reflected from rarer medium (air) and at B it is reflected from denser medium (glass). When a wave is reflected from a denser medium an additional path difference of (lembda/2) is to be considered. Did you considered this additional path difference?
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
14K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
Replies
7
Views
6K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
7K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
5K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K