Interference of Light: Calculating Intensity at Point O with Two Offset Slits

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In summary, the conversation discusses a problem with determining the phase difference between two slits, B and C, which are not in phase, in a setup where light of wavelength 475 nm is shined through slit A onto a third screen with slit O. The light intensity at point O is measured using a lightmeter, and it is found that when either slit B or C is open, the intensity remains the same. When both slits are open, the path difference between ABO and ACO is 3.142851 E-6, which can be used to solve for the light intensity using the formula I = 4(I1) cos^2 (phi/2). The height difference between B and C is also mentioned
  • #1
dopher
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I'm having trouble getting started with this problem. I know the interference formulas and how it works, but I'm having trouble determining the phase difference (if B and C were in phase i could do it easily, but they aren't, how do I find out the phase they are initially apart?)
|----------|------------|
|----------B------------|
|----------|------------|
|----------C------------|
|----------|------------|
A----------|------------O
|----------|------------|
|----------|------------|
|<---x1-->|<-----x2--->|


Consider the above setup, not drawn to scale.

Light of wavelength λ= 475 nm is shined at normal incidence to the first screen with slit A.
The second screen, x1 = 0.7 meters behind the first screen, has two slits, B and C .
The third screen is x2 = 1.5 meters behind the second screen. It has slit O, which is level with slit A. A lightmeter measures the light intensity at the slit O.

When light is sent through slit A and measured at the slit O with either slit B or slit C open one slit at a time, the intensity at the point O is the same: I0 = 0.5 W/m2. (The slit widths can always be adjusted so that this is true, but for this problem you can/should ignore the width of all slits.)

Slit B is at height y1 = 2 mm above slit A.

Slit C is at height y2 = 1 mm above slit A.

Note that the drawing is not drawn to scale.

a) What is the light intensity measured at the point O when both slits B and C are open?
 
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  • #2
For a, you have to find the path difference between ABO and ACO. This is 3.142851 E-6. Plug this into phi = 2pi (delta) / lambda. This gets you 41.572874. Now you should have everything you need to solve I = 4(I1) cos^2 (phi/2).

B should be the same, because you're increasing both ABO and ACO by the same amount, therefore not changing the path difference.

...this is not from me...
 

What is the interference of light?

The interference of light is a phenomenon where two or more light waves interact with each other and either reinforce or cancel each other out, resulting in a pattern of bright and dark regions.

How is the intensity at point O calculated in the interference of light?

The intensity at point O is calculated by first finding the path difference between the two light waves, then using this value to determine the phase difference. The intensity is then calculated using the formula I = I0 * cos2(Φ/2), where I0 is the maximum intensity and Φ is the phase difference.

What is the significance of having two offset slits in the interference of light?

Having two offset slits allows for the interference pattern to be created, as the light waves passing through each slit will interact with each other. This results in a pattern of bright and dark regions, with the bright regions corresponding to constructive interference and the dark regions corresponding to destructive interference.

What factors can affect the interference pattern in the interference of light?

The factors that can affect the interference pattern include the distance between the two slits, the wavelength of the light, and the angle of incidence of the light waves. Additionally, any obstructions or imperfections in the slits or the medium through which the light is passing can also affect the interference pattern.

What are some real-life applications of studying the interference of light?

The interference of light is used in various fields such as physics, engineering, and technology. Some examples include creating diffraction gratings for optical instruments, measuring the wavelength of light, and studying the properties of materials using optical interference techniques.

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