Ep 1 Unit PDF
Ep 1 Unit PDF
Ep 1 Unit PDF
Superposition principle:
This principle states that the resultant displacement of a particle of the medium acted upon by
two or more waves simultaneously is the algebraic sum of the displacements of the same
particle due to individual waves, in absence of others.
Suppose y1 is the displacement of the particle at a certain point at any instant is due to first
wave in absence of second wave.
And y2 is the displacement of the particle at the same point at any instant is due to second
wave in absence of the first wave.
If two waves propagate in the same direction then the resultant displacement of the particle
due to two waves acting together at that point is y = y1 + y2.
If two waves propagate in opposite direction then the resultant displacement of the particle
due to two waves acting together at that point is y = y1 - y2.
Examples:
1. Formation of stationary waves in a stretched string.
2. Formation of Beats.
3. Interference of light.
Applications:
Superposition principle used in
1. Tuning of musical instruments and recording the musical album.
2. Network analysis by superposition of electric signals.
3. Rolling motion is the superposition of two motions: translation without rotation, and
rotation without translation.
4. Quantum computing for defining qubits.
5. Interferometry for wave analysis like ultrasonic interferometer, Michelson
interferometer, signals transmission and antenna systems etc.
6. Analysis of water waves and earth quakes etc.
7. The superposition principle is applied in hydrogeology to the drawdown of two or
more water wells pumping in an ideal aquifer.
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y = y1 + y2 ------ (3)
y = a1Sint + a2 Sin(t+ϕ)
Equation (7) shows the resultant displacement of the resultant wave with amplitude A and
phase θ. It also reveals the linearity of wave equation.
[a2Sinϕ]2 = A2Sin2θ
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This is expression for resultant amplitude; it depends on phase difference of the two waves.
I α A2
This is expression for resultant intensity; it also depends on phase difference of the two
waves.
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I = k [a1 + a2]2
Io = k a2 ------ (16)
(16) 𝐼
Take ; =4
(17) 𝐼𝑜
δ = nλ ------ (19)
The path difference must be integral multiple of wavelength for maximum intensity.
I = k[a1 - a2]2
δ = (n + ½) λ ------ (20)
The path difference must be half-integral multiple of wavelength for minimum intensity.
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is the sum of initial intensities (Io+Io) of the two individual sources. Thus, the Superposition
principle (interference of light) holds the law of conservation of energy.
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Propagation of the wave produced by a light source with constant phase difference between
two points maintaining fixed amplitude and fixed frequency is called Coherence of that light
source.
1) Temporal coherence
2) Spatial coherence.
1) Temporal coherence:
Temporal coherence is a measure of the correlation between the phases of a light wave at
different points along the direction of propagation. If the phase difference of the wave
crossing the two points lying along the direction of propagation is independent of time, then
the wave is said to be temporal coherence. Temporal coherence is also known as longitudinal
coherence. Temporal coherence tells us how monochromatic a source is. In other words, if
light source is temporal coherence then it maintains constant wavelength infinitely.
A B
If Φ(A) is phase of point A and Φ(B) is phase of point B at time t1, then phase difference
between these point is given by ΔΦ = Φ(A) – Φ(B).
If Φ′(A) is phase of point A and Φ′(B) is phase of point B at time t2, then phase difference
between these point is given by ΔΦ′ = Φ′(A) – Φ′(B).
2) Spatial coherence:
Spatial coherence is a measure of the correlation between the phases of a light wave at
different points, transverse to the direction of propagation. If the phase difference of the wave
crossing the two points lying on a plane perpendicular to the direction of propagation is
independent of time, then the wave is said to be spatial coherence. Spatial coherence tells us
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how directional a source is. In other words, if light source is spatial coherence then it
maintains constant amplitude infinitely.
If Φ(A) is phase of point A and Φ(B) is phase of point B at time t1, then phase difference
between these point is given by ΔΦ = Φ(A) – Φ(B).
If Φ′(A) is phase of point A and Φ′(B) is phase of point B at time t2, then phase difference
between these point is given by ΔΦ′ = Φ′(A) – Φ′(B).
The time interval over which the phase of a wave remains constant is called the coherence
time (Δt). The distance travelled by the light wave during coherent time is called coherence
length (ΔL). For a perfectly monochromatic wave, the coherence time and coherence length
are infinity. For light waves, ΔL = C Δt. In case of laser sources, the coherence length is
about 30-40 Km, where as coherence time is several micro seconds.
Two light sources must be coherent for interference of light. In other words, the waves
emerging through two sources should satisfy following conditions:
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7. What are the methods to obtain coherent light sources? Explain briefly,
with examples.
There are two methods to produce coherent light waves (sources).
1) Division of wavefront method (Wavefront splitting)
2) Division of amplitude method (Amplitude splitting)
These two wavefronts are made to travel unequal distances and superimpose each other to
produce interference pattern. This method is useful with small sources.
Examples:
1. Young’s double slit experiment 2. Lloyd’s mirror 3. Fresnel’s bi-prism
The method, which is used to produce two coherent sources from a common source, is called
division of amplitude that maintains the same width but reduced amplitude passing through
glass plates, lenses or films by reflection or refraction.
These two waves of approximately equal amplitudes are made to travel unequal distances and
superimpose each other to produce interference pattern. This method is useful with extended
(large) sources.
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Let us consider a thin film of refractive index (μ) and thickness (t). AB light ray is used to
incident on the upper surface of the film with an angle of incidence (i). The light ray (AB) is
partly reflected as BER ray and partly refracted as BC ray with an angle of refraction (r). The
BC ray is reflected as CDR1 ray at lower surface. Now, the two reflected light rays BER ray
and CDR1 ray interfere with each other and make the film appear brightly or darkly due to
constructive or destructive interference respectively. This is called interference in thin films
by reflected light.
The optical path difference between the two reflected light rays (BR and DR1) is given by
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Thus reflection of light at thin film depends on wavelength of the light, thickness and refractive index
of the film.
Examples:
1. The colors that we can see when sunlight falls on soap bubbles, oil slick and ruby-throated
humming bird are caused by the interference of light waves reflected from the front and back
surfaces of thin films.
2. Thin films deposited on optical components such as camera lenses can reduce reflection and
enhance transmission of light.
3. Thin coatings on window glasses can enhance the reflectivity for IR radiation while having
less effect on the visible radiation. In this it is possible to reduce the heating effect of the Sun
light on a building.
4. Thin coatings on jewelry stones is also the good example.
5. LCD projector lens is coated with a thin film.
6. Monitors of TV, Computer and laptop are made up of thin film diodes.
Experimental set-up:
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When a plano-convex lens (L) with its convex surface is placed on a plane glass plate (P), an
air film of gradually increasing thickness outward is formed between the lens and the glass
plate. The thickness of film at the point of contact is zero. If the monochromatic light
(Sodium lamp) is allowed to fall normally on the lens by focusing on another glass plate (G)
held at angle 45o. Now, the air film is viewed through microscope in reflected light, alternate
bright and dark concentric rings are seen around the point of contact. These rings were first
discovered by Newton, that’s why they are called Newton’s Rings.
Working Principle:
Newton’s rings formed due to interference between the light waves reflected from the top and
bottom surfaces of the air film formed between the plano-convex lens (L) and glass plate (P).
Interference occurs between the two waves which interfere constructively if the path
difference between them is (n+ ½)λ and destructively if path difference between them is nλ,
producing alternate bright and dark rings.
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Graph: Relation between order of the rings and the square of the diameter of the rings is a
straight line passing through the origin. From graph, by calculating the slope of the straight
line, we can determine the wavelength of the source.
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2 Source and screen are placed at finite distance Source and screen are placed at infinity.
from the aperture of the obstacle having sharp
edges.
3 No lenses are used for making the rays parallel or Lenses are used for making the rays parallel or
convergent. convergent.
4 The incident wave-fronts are either spherical or The incident wave-fronts are plane.
cylindrical.
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Note: The intensity at a point P on the screen can be derived by phasor approach (vector model) as
shown in below equation:
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6. Derive condition for absent spectra in Double slit experiment. Show that
interference maxima disappear when they fall on diffraction minima in
a double slit experiment.
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CONCLUSIONS:
1. In view of equation (6), the radius of the Airy disc is directly proportional to the
wavelength of the incident light. Hence, the size (radius) of the Airy disc due to blue
(450 – 490 nm) is smaller than that of red (630 – 750 nm).
2. For shorter wavelengths of the source, the radius becomes small and the object
appears clearly, this is working principle of microscope.
3. For larger diameter of the lens, the radius becomes small and the object appears
clearly, this is working principle of telescope.
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