Two Beams of Light Phase Difference

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on calculating the phase difference between two beams of light passing through slabs with different refractive indices. The user successfully determined the wavelengths within the materials as 4.01 x 10^-7 m and 3.61 x 10^-7 m. They then calculated the number of wavelengths corresponding to the slab thickness for each material, resulting in values of 3.41 and 3.89. The user found a wave difference of 0.31 and seeks guidance on converting this to phase difference in radians. The relationship between wavelength difference and phase difference is clarified, noting that a difference of one wavelength equates to a phase shift of 2π radians.
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Homework Statement


A beam of light of wavelength 606 nm passes through two slabs of material of identical thickness d= 1.40 micrometers, as shown in the figure. The slabs have different indices of refraction: n1= 1.51 and n2= 1.68. What is the phase difference (in radians, do not enter units) between the two parts of the beam after it passes through the slabs?
prob10_twoslabs.gif


Homework Equations


wavelength(vacuum)/wavelength = n

The Attempt at a Solution


I calculated the wavelength inside both materials using the equation above (4.01*10^-7m & 3.61*10^-7m). Then i divided the distance of the slab by the wavelength for each (3.41 & 3.89). I found the difference between these two numbers (0.31) which is the wave difference, how do I get phase difference from this?
 
Last edited:
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A difference of 1 wavelength corresponds to a phase of 2 pi (1 revolution in a circle).
 

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