OPT-007 · Wave optics Sample material

Interference of light

Coherent waves and their superposition, optical path and phase difference, Young's experiment, Fresnel's bimirror and biprism, thin films, the wedge and Newton's rings, and the Jamin, Michelson and Fabry–Pérot interferometers.

Estimated time: 2 h 10 min 4 activities

Learning objective

Study the concept of coherence and the conditions for interference.
Understand how coherent beams are produced by division of the wavefront and of the amplitude.
Learn to calculate interference in thin films, wedges and Newton's rings.
Study the operating principles and applications of two-beam and multiple-beam interferometers.

Expected outcomes

Calculates the fringe width in Young's experiment and with Fresnel's biprism.
Calculates thin films, the thickness of an anti-reflection coating and wedge fringes.
Finds the radius of curvature of a lens from the radii of Newton's rings.
Determines wavelength, refractive index and concentration with Michelson and Jamin interferometers.

Interactive modelYoung's experiment: double-slit interference
Interactive modelNewton's rings

Activities

Lecture
Lecture · 55 min · required
Interference of light. Interference in a thin plate. Newton's rings. Determining the refractive index and concentration of media with an interferometer.
Practice · 55 min · required
Study of the interference of light with a Michelson interferometer
Laboratory · 1 h 20 min · optional
Final test
Test · 20 min · required · pass ≥ 70%

Completion conditions

  • Lecture
  • Interference of light. Interference in a thin plate. Newton's rings. Determining the refractive index and concentration of media with an interferometer.
  • Final test — at least 70%