10

Lab Experiments

Experiment-26

WAVELENGTH AND ENERGY GAP DETERMINATION USING NEWTONS RINGS MICROSCOPE IN CASE OF LIGHT EMITTING DIODES
Dr S.P Basavaraju Dept. of Physics, Bangalore Institute of Technology, K R Road, Basavanagudi, Bangalore 560 004, INDIA.

Abstract Using a plano-convex lens of know radius of curvature, Newtons Rings are observed by illuminating with lights of different wavelengths obtained by different LEDs. Each kind of light gives different set of Newtons Rings. Using the standard procedure the wavelengths of the illuminating lights are determined. The energy gaps of the materials of the respective LEDs are determined and the values obtained are compared with the standard values.

Introduction
Light emitting diodes (LEDs) are special semiconductor devices in which recombination that takes place near the p-n junction results in light emission. The emitted light though not highly monochromatic is treated monochromatic on the practical considerations, as line width is of the order of 10%. Table-1 lists the compound semiconductors used in the fabrication of various LEDs, their dominant wavelengths, the corresponding line widths and energy gaps. Table-1 Material SiC
GaP:N:Zn GaAsP:N:Zn GaAsP:N:Zn GaAl:Zn GaAsP:N GaAl:Si GaAs:Si

Emitted Light Color

EG (eV)
2.86 2.22 2.10 1.98 1.92 1.85 1.43 1.34

(nm)
480 565 590 625 650 660 870 900

(nm)
50 40 40 40 20 20 80 20

Different semiconductor materials and their characteristic parameters One must be careful in the selection of LEDs in the market because many commercially available LEDs are encapsulated with colored caps that will give false light. But transparent capsulated LEDs are now available in all colors and only they must be used for experimental studies.
Vol-2, No-2, SEPTEMBER-2002

11 Clear Newtons rings are formed when a monochromatic light falls normally on a plano-convex lens and glass assembly [1]. Using LED light Newtons rings are observed. Under the assumption that the LED light is monochromatic. The diameter of the nth dark ring in the reflected light is given by dn = (4Rn) where, dn is the diameter of the nth ring R is the radius of curvature of the Plano convex lens n is the ordinal number of the ring is the wavelength of the monochromatic light used The equation can be rewritten as dn2/n = ---------4R If R is known, can be determined by measuring dn.
LED

Lab Experiments

R=1K

Figure-1, Forward biased LED Figure-1 shows a forward biased LED. A free electron leaving the negative terminal of the battery enters the LED at the anode and further travels through the body of the semiconductor. While it is near the pn junction, it is most likely to combine with a free hole at which time it transits from conduction band to valence band directly. The consequent loss of energy of the electron appears as a photon and emitted from the LED surface as light. The wavelength of the light emitted and the energy gap of the semiconductor are related through the equation, hc EG = -----

3 h, is Planks constant = 4.14 x 10-15 eV c, is velocity of light = 3x108 meters/sec

where

1240

EG = -----

In Equation-4 energy gap is in electron volt and wavelength is in nanometer. Hence by determining , energy gap of the semiconductor emitting the light is determined.
Vol-2, No-2, SEPTEMBER-2002

12

Lab Experiments

Figure-2, Newtons Rings Microscope

3(a)

(b)

Figure-3(a), Bottom portion of Newtons Ring microscope fitted with LED light source 3(b), Three different color LEDs mounted on a cabinet To use LED light in Newtons Rings measurements, certain modifications are done. The bottom portion of the Newtons rings microscope [2] containing plano-convex lens and glass plate is shown in Figure-3 (a). The LEDs are mounted on a cabinet as shown in Figure 3(b) and attached to the bottom portion. The LED light is allowed to fall on the turning glass plate inclined at 45 degree and then on the plano-convex lens glass plate assembly. Newtons rings are observed with different LED lights. The number of rings over a given radial distance is found to vary with LED light.

Apparatus Used
The apparatus consists of LED light source fitted to bottom portion of the Newtons rings microscope. Different color LEDs that can be switched on one at time by a power supply controlled by a micro switch. Plano-convex lens of 100cm radius of curvature, a plane glass plate and Newtons rings microscope.
Vol-2, No-2, SEPTEMBER-2002

Lab Experiments

13

Experimental Procedure
1. The plano-convex-lens is placed inside the bottom portion of the Newtons rings microscope. The radius of curvature is noted as R =1meter (data) 2. The LED power supply is switched on and blue color light is selected. The turning glass plate is adjusted so that light falls normally on lens assembly. 3. Newtons rings are observed and the microscope is adjusted for proper focus. By rotating the drum, the adjustment is made such that center dark fringe at the center of the field of view. Also the cross-wire are adjusted such that their intersection is at the center of the dark spot. 4. The drum of microscope is rotated until the 6th ring on the left-hand side coincides with the cross wire as shown in Figure-4.

Cross Wire coinciding 6th ring on the left of the rings set Cross wires

center dark fringe

Figure-4 Cross wire coinciding 6 the ring on the LHS Ring No 6 5 4 3 2 Table-2 Micrometer reading (mm) d(mm) Left Right 20.78 17.48 3.30 20.65 17.51 3.08 20.49 17.73 2.76 20.33 17.94 2.39 20.13 18.14 1.99

d2 x10-6 dn2/n m x10-6 10.89 1.815 9.48 1.896 7.61 1.902 5.71 1.903 3.96 1.980 Average = 1.879 Blue -blue = 469nm, EG =2.64eV

Blue LED wavelength and energy gap determination 5. The micrometer reading is noted and recorded in Table-2. The cross wire is made coincident with the 5th ring and the corresponding micrometer readings are noted in Table-2. The same measurement is continued till the 2nd ring. The cross wire is made coincident with 2nd ring on the right hand side and the corresponding micrometer reading is noted in Table-2. Similar observations are made for consecutive rings
Vol-2, No-2, SEPTEMBER-2002

6.

14
th

Lab Experiments

up to the 6 ring on the RHS. Diameters of the various rings are determined and the ratio dn2/n is calculated for each case. It is seen that dn2/n is a constant as expected. Wavelength is determined using Equation-2. dn2/n 1.879 x 10-6 = ---------- = ---------------- = 469 x10-9 meters = 469nm 4R 4x1 7. Energy gap is calculated using Equation 4 1240 1240 EG = ------ = ---------- = 2.64 eV 469 Ring No 6 5 4 3 2 Table-3 Micrometer reading (mm) d(mm) Left Right 18.42 14.55 3.87 18.27 14.73 3.54 17.09 14.91 3.18 17.87 15.13 2.75 17.58 15.37 2.21 d2 x10-6 dn2/n m 14.98 2.49 12.53 2.50 10.11 2.52 7.56 2.52 4.88 2.44 Average = 2.51 Red-LED -red = 627nm, EG =1.97eV

Red LED energy gap and wavelength determination Table-4 Micrometer reading (mm) d(mm) Left Right 18.37 14.65 3.72 18.21 14.81 3.40 18.03 15.00 3.03 17.81 15.20 2.61 17.58 15.45 2.13

Ring No 6 5 4 3 2

d2 x10-6 dn2/n m 13.83 2.30 11.56 2.31 9.18 2.30 6.81 2.27 4.53 2.26 Average = 2.30 Yellow-LED -yellow = 575nm, EG =2.15eV

Yellow LED energy gap and wavelength determination 8. The experiment is repeated with green, red and yellow lights. In each case Newtons rings are observed and diameters from 6th to 2nd ring are determined. From the ring diameter and ring number, wavelength and energy gap is determined. The readings obtained are tabulated in Tables 3,4 and 5 respectively for green, orange and red LEDs.

Vol-2, No-2, SEPTEMBER-2002

Lab Experiments

15

Ring No 6 5 4 3 2

Table-5 Micrometer reading (mm) d(mm) Left Right 18.35 14.68 3.67 18.19 14.84 3.37 18.01 14.99 3.02 17.56 15.23 2.57 17.25 15.43 2.13

d2 x10-6 dn2/n m 13.46 2.24 11.35 2.27 9.12 2.28 6.64 2.20 4.54 2.27 Average = 2.25 Green-LED -green = 563nm, EG =2.20eV

Green LED energy gap and wavelength determination

RESULTS
1. Using blue, green, yellow and red light Newtons rings are formed and the wavelength of the light is determined in each case. 2. Energy gap of the semiconductor emitting the light is also determined in each case. The results obtained are tabulated in Table-6 Table-6 Color Blue Green Yellow Red (nm) Expt. Value 469 563 575 627 Stand. Value 480 563 589 645 EG(eV) Expt. Stand. Value Value 2.64 2.64 2.20 2.22 2.15 2.10 1.97 1.92

Wavelength and Energy gap obtained with standard values

Discussions
1. The experiment shows the application of Newtons rings to determine easily the value of unknown wavelength of light emitted by LEDs. LED wavelengths are required for radiometry and photometry applications. A maximum error of 2% in the wavelength measurement is noticed between the standard and experimental value. Using an LED for illumination has an advantage that the power requirement is only about 80mW (maxi). This stands very attractive against the huge power requirement by sodium vapor lamp. (Minimum is 35 watts). This is helpful in the regular lab arrangement, especially during the failure of mains electric power supply, as a 3V supply from dry cells will be enough to drive LEDs. It may be noted that it doesnt require very high intensity light to secure Newtons rings. Also costwise , a set of LEDs along with the power supply etc works out to be less than of the cost of a sodium vapor lamp set

2.

Vol-2, No-2, SEPTEMBER-2002

16

Lab Experiments

References
1. SP Basavaraju, Newtons Rings, A detailed textbook of Engineering Physics Practicals, 1999, Page-32. 2. SP Basavaraju, Newtons Rings, LE- Vol-2, N0-1, June 2002, Page-65

Dr S P Basavaraju Dr S P Basavaraju is professor and head, Department of Physics, Bangalore Institute of Technology, K R road Basavanagudi Bangalore. He has been in the teaching field for more than 22 years. Professor Basavaraju got his MSc degree in Physics from Mysore University and PhD degree from Bangalore University. Prof. Basavaraju has published 7 research papers in international journals and has presented 5 papers in symposia. His PhD work is on the NQR studies. He is one of familiar author of Engineering Physics Books in Karnataka. His recent editions are A detailed textbook of Engineering Physics, A detailed textbook of Engineering Physics Practicals, A textbook of fields and waves. He has also published articles on popular subjects in science.

Vol-2, No-2, SEPTEMBER-2002