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Diffraction Intro.

Diffraction is the phenomenon where light spreads out when passing through a small gap. The condition for diffraction is that the wavelength of light must be similar in scale to the gap. There are two types of diffraction: Fresnel diffraction where the source and screen are at finite distances, and Fraunhoffer diffraction where the source and screen are effectively infinite distances apart, requiring a lens for observation and simpler calculations. Diffraction gratings consist of many narrow slits that transmit and obstruct light to produce diffraction patterns. By measuring the angles of diffraction patterns and using the grating constant, the wavelength of incident light can be determined.

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Shaifullah Shakil
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27 views

Diffraction Intro.

Diffraction is the phenomenon where light spreads out when passing through a small gap. The condition for diffraction is that the wavelength of light must be similar in scale to the gap. There are two types of diffraction: Fresnel diffraction where the source and screen are at finite distances, and Fraunhoffer diffraction where the source and screen are effectively infinite distances apart, requiring a lens for observation and simpler calculations. Diffraction gratings consist of many narrow slits that transmit and obstruct light to produce diffraction patterns. By measuring the angles of diffraction patterns and using the grating constant, the wavelength of incident light can be determined.

Uploaded by

Shaifullah Shakil
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Diffraction

MD. Noman Hossain


Assistant professor,
Department of Physics
Imperial College of Engineering
(Rajshahi University Affiliated)
Diffraction:
When a ray of light passes through a small gap it spreads out into different rays, this
phenomena is called diffraction.

The Condition of diffraction is that wavelength of light must be of the order of gap
dimension.

MD. Noman Hossain, Assistant professor, Department of Physics, Imperial College of Engineering (Rajshahi University Affiliated)
In Fresnel diffraction, Source of light and screen are both at finite distance from
the slit observation , this type of diffraction does not require any lens, Calculation is
more complex.

In Fraunhoffer type, Source and screen both are infinite distance from the slit,
Incident ray and diffracted ray is rendered parallel by the lens. For observation it requires
lens, Mathematical calculation is simple.

MD. Noman Hossain, Assistant professor, Department of Physics, Imperial College of Engineering (Rajshahi University Affiliated)
Diffraction Grating:
This is an extremely useful device and consists of very large number of narrow slits
side by side. The slits are separated by an opaque space. When light is incident on the
grating surface light is transmitted through the slits and obstructed by the opaque
portion. Such system is called grating.

MD. Noman Hossain, Assistant professor, Department of Physics, Imperial College of Engineering (Rajshahi University Affiliated)
Theory: Secondary waves travelling in a direction inclined at an angle 𝜃 with the
incident beam comes to focus at point 𝑃1 on screen. The secondary waves travelling
in the same direction will come to focus at 𝑃0 on the screen. The point p0 will be
max. intensity. The intensity at 𝑃1 will depend on the path diff. between the
secondary waves.
Path difference between consecution rays = (a + b) sin 𝜃
For brightness, (a + b) sin 𝜃 = n𝜆
Where, (a + b) is called grating element, 𝜃 is the angle of diffraction, n is the order.
𝑆𝑖𝑛𝜃 1
n𝜆 = , Here, N = is called grating const.
𝑁 𝑎+𝑏
𝑆𝑖𝑛𝜃
So, 𝜆 = .. .. (2)
𝑛𝑁
From this expression wavelength of light can be determined.

MD. Noman Hossain, Assistant professor, Department of Physics, Imperial College of Engineering (Rajshahi University Affiliated)
Experimental procedure:
In the laboratory, the slits are illuminated by monochromatic light and
telescope is adjusted to get the 1st order and 2nd order spectra on both
sides of direct ray. The difference of reading between the direct ray and
the diffracted ray gives the angle of diffraction. The order of diffraction
is known grating constant.
𝑆𝑖𝑛𝜃
So, using the formula 𝜆 = , the wavelength of monochromatic light
𝑛𝑁
can be determined.

MD. Noman Hossain, Assistant professor, Department of Physics, Imperial College of Engineering (Rajshahi University Affiliated)
Thank You

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