Where is fringe spacing measured from with white light?

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

Fringe spacing in interference patterns is defined as the distance between two adjacent maxima or minima. When using white light, the measurement can be taken from the peak of one color to the peak of the same color (e.g., red to red) or from the center of one maximum to the center of another. However, the specific method of measurement does not significantly affect the results, as long as the maxima or minima are clearly identifiable. To enhance clarity, monochromatic light is often preferred, and utilizing a color filter can help isolate specific wavelengths in white light interference patterns.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of interference patterns in optics
  • Knowledge of monochromatic versus white light
  • Familiarity with color filters and their applications
  • Basic principles of wave behavior and maxima/minima identification
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the principles of interference in optics
  • Learn about the use of monochromatic light in experiments
  • Explore the application of color filters in optical experiments
  • Study the mathematical formulation of fringe spacing in interference patterns
USEFUL FOR

Students and professionals in physics, particularly those studying optics, as well as educators looking to enhance their understanding of light interference phenomena.

CAH
Messages
48
Reaction score
0
Fringe spacing is the distance between two adjacent maxima or minima.
For white light, is a maxima the distance from red to red (green to green, blue to blue..)? or the middle of the maxima to another middle of another maxima (i see that this distance will be the same since its middle to middle or end to end but still), does it matter?
 
Science news on Phys.org
No, it doesn't "matter" as long as you can really identify the maxima or minima in the presence of the other wavelengths. That's why people tend to use monochromatic light. You could always observe the white light interference pattern through a colour filter, to eliminate the effect of other wavelengths.
 

Similar threads

Undergrad Creating White LEDs: Phosphor vs RGB
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Undergrad An Imagined Diffraction Grating
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
786
Undergrad Double slit displaying anti-fringes?
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
21K
Undergrad Is This....Right? Splitting LED colors is not working for me
  • · Replies 40 ·
2
Replies
40
Views
4K
Undergrad Single-Slit Diffraction -- Deriving the relation for the minima
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
Undergrad On Mixing Colors of Light
  • · Replies 207 ·
7
Replies
207
Views
13K
Diffraction pattern from a grating
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
Undergrad More slits, farther maxima of interference patterns, why?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Number of bright fringes given by diffraction grating on a screen
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
High School Converting Lux to W/m^2 for Solar Radiation Measurement
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
10K