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Experiment No 6 Opts Cauchy

The experiment aims to determine Cauchy's Constants using a prism and spectrometer by measuring the refractive index at different wavelengths. The procedure involves setting up the spectrometer, aligning the prism, and measuring angles of minimum deviation for various colors of light. Observations are recorded in tables for multiple prisms, and precautions are emphasized to maintain the integrity of the setup during measurements.

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11 views6 pages

Experiment No 6 Opts Cauchy

The experiment aims to determine Cauchy's Constants using a prism and spectrometer by measuring the refractive index at different wavelengths. The procedure involves setting up the spectrometer, aligning the prism, and measuring angles of minimum deviation for various colors of light. Observations are recorded in tables for multiple prisms, and precautions are emphasized to maintain the integrity of the setup during measurements.

Uploaded by

sheetal.t.dav
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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EXPERIMENT NO.

– 3
AIM: To determine Cauchy’s Constants using a prism and spectrometer.

Apparatus: Glass prism, spectrometer and mercury vapour lamp.

Theory: The wavelength dependence of refractive index of a dielectric medium can be


approximated by

μ =A+ B 2

where represents the refractive index at wavelength and A and B are constants.

This Eq. is known as Cauchys formula and A and B are known as Cauchys constants. As is
obvious from the above formula, a curve between and 1 2 is a straight line whose
intercept with the y axis gives A and slope with respect to the x-axis gives B. Thus we can
easily nd Cauchy s constants as discussed below.

A parallel beam of white light from a source (mercury lamp) is passed through a prism.
One would observe a spectrum on the other side of the prism (Fig.8.3). The prism is then
set in the position of minimum deviation and the angle of minimum deviations
corresponding to di erent colors are measured with the help of the spectrometer. The
refractive index at di erent wavelengths can be calculated using the following well known
formula:

μ = sinAₒ+Dm/2

sinAₒ/2

Here Aₒ is the angle of the prism and Dm is the angle of minimum deviation.

Procedure:

A spectrometer consists of a collimator which is mounted on the rigid arm and a telescope
mounted on the rotation table arm which can rotate in a horizontal plane about the axis of
the instrument. A prism table of adjustable height is mounted along the axis of rotation of
the telescope. A circular scale and vernier arrangement is provide to enable measurement
of the angle through which the telescope arm or the prism table is rotated.
Top view of the prism table showing relevant details. A- rotation axis of the prism table.
B,C- Threaded screw holes to x grating stand. D,E,F- Leveling screws.

1. Setting the prism table:


The prism table AB is made horizontal with the help of a spirit level by adjusting the
leveling screws D,E,F (see Fig.8.1). To start with, the prism table is rotated about its axis
and adjusted in such a way that the parallel straight lines along with the two screw E
and F are perpendicular to the axis joining the collimator and the telescope pointing
directly opposite. A three way spirit level is kept on the prism table with its edge XY
along the parallel lines Further adjustment of the prism table is done using the method
of optical alignment. The given prism is placed such that the ground surface is facing
towards the telescope and is perpendicular to the axis of the collimator. Adjust the
position of the prism such that the edge of the prism opposite to the ground surface
lies approximately along the axis of the prism table as shown in Fig.8.2. If you now
rotate the telescope arm, you would be able to see the reflected images of the slit
appears symmetrically placed about the horizontal cross wire when viewed from both
sides. The prism table adjustments are complete now.

2. Schuster’s method of focusing a spectrometer for parallel light:


When a distant object is not available or the spectrometer is too heavy to be
carried outside the dark room where the experiment is being performed, the
setting of the spectrometer is done by the Schuster’s method. the slit is kept facing
the brightest portion of the mercury lamp and its width adjusted to permit a thin
line of light to act as incident light.

Prism is now kept on the prism table with its ground face along the parallel lines ruled on
the prism table. The prism table is rotated so as to obtain mercury light incident from the
collimator on the prism. Telescope arm is moved to a suitable position to see the spectrum
through it. the prism table is rotated to achieve the position of minimum deviation (of
course, you will have to rotate the telescope arm also, as you rotate the prism table, to
retain the spectrum in the eld of view of the telescope). At this position, the spectrum
which appeared to be moving in the telescope in one direction (say left to right) reaches
an extreme limit and retraces its path on further movement of the prism table in the same
direction.

Prism table is rotated away from this position of minimum deviation. bringing the
refracting angle towards the telescope and the telescope is now focused on the image as
distinctly as possible. Prism table is then rotated to the other side of the minimum
deviation position towards the collimator and the collimator is focused to obtain a sharp
image of the spectrum. The process is repeated till the motion of the prism does not affect
the focus of the spectrum. The collimator and the telescope are then set for parallel light
and their settings are not to be disturbed during the course of the experiment.
Measurements of angle of minimum deviation Dm and prism angle A0: The prism is again
set in the position of minimum deviation as discussed above. Now measure the positions
of various lines of the spectrum on the circular scale without disturbing the prism table.
Now remove the prism from prism table and rotate the telescope to see the slit directly
and measure its position. The difference between this last reading and the readings
corresponding to various colours in the position of minimum deviation will give us the
angles of minimum deviations for different colours.

This given prism is now again placed on the prism table such that the ground surface is
facing towards the telescope and is perpendicular to the axis of collimator. Adjust the
position of the prism such that the edges of the prism opposite to the ground surface lies
approximately along the axis of the prism table as shown in Fig.8.3. Rotate the telescope
arm and measure the position of reflected images of the slit on both sides of incident
beam. The difference between the two readings is equal to angle 2Aₒ.

Observations:

Table:

Prism-A

Row L.H.S. R.H.S.


MSR VSR TOTAL MSR VSR TOTAL

Prism-B

Row L.H.S. R.H.S.


MSR VSR TOTAL MSR VSR TOTAL

Prism-C
Row L.H.S. R.H.S.
MSR VSR TOTAL MSR VSR TOTAL

Prism-D

Row L.H.S. R.H.S.


MSR VSR TOTAL MSR VSR TOTAL

Calculation:

Precautions:
1. Care should be taken to ensure proper setting of the spectrometer.
2. It should be ensured that the settings of the telescope and collimator are not
touched during the course of taking the various readings.

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