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KY- Diffraction

The document covers the topic of diffraction of light, detailing definitions, types of diffraction, and Huygens's Principle. It explains the behavior of wavefronts, the differences between diffraction and interference, and classifies diffraction into Fresnel and Fraunhofer types. Additionally, it discusses the implications of diffraction in producing patterns of light and dark fringes.

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9 views25 pages

KY- Diffraction

The document covers the topic of diffraction of light, detailing definitions, types of diffraction, and Huygens's Principle. It explains the behavior of wavefronts, the differences between diffraction and interference, and classifies diffraction into Fresnel and Fraunhofer types. Additionally, it discusses the implications of diffraction in producing patterns of light and dark fringes.

Uploaded by

titanicamit1010
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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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Engineering Physics

For
Chemical Engineering
(2024-2025)
Chapter-2: Diffraction of light
Class -05

By
Dr. K. Yadagiri
Department of Physics
Diffraction

 Definition and types of Diffractions,


 Huygens's Principle and types of wave fronts, types of Diffraction,
Single Slit Diffraction,
 Double Slit Diffraction,
 Diffraction Grating,
 Derivation of Resolving Power and Dispersive Power,
 Rayleigh’s Criterion and applications
• Experiments based Diffraction Phenomenon
• XRD Extra syllabus
• Electron diffraction not for exam
• Neutron Diffraction
Wavefront
•Definition:

•A wavefront is an imaginary surface over which the phase of the light wave is constant.
•It can be thought of as the crest of a wave at a specific point in time.

•Types of Wavefronts:

•Spherical Wavefronts:
Produced by a point source of light, the wavefronts are concentric spheres expanding outward.
•Plane Wavefronts:
When light is emitted from a distant source (or collimated), the wavefronts appear flat over a small region.
•Cylindrical Wavefronts:
Generated by line sources, the wavefronts are concentric cylinders.
•Propagation:
•Wavefronts move perpendicular to the direction of energy travel, which is called the ray direction.
•In homogeneous media, wavefronts spread isotropically (the same in all directions).
Huygens 'of light theory
Huygens’ theory is essentially based on a geometrical construction
which allows us to determine the shape of the wave front at any time,
if the shape of the wave front at an earlier time is known. A wave
front is the locus of the points which are in the same phase

Now, according to Huygens’


principle, each point of a wave
front is a source of secondary
disturbance, and the wavelets
emanating from these points
spread out in all directions with the
speed of the wave.
“Every point on a wavefront is in itself the source of spherical wavelets
which spread out in the forward direction at the speed of light. The sum
of these spherical wavelets forms the wavefront”.

Huygens Principle, also known as the Huygens–Fresnel principle,


highlights the following wave propagation behaviour:

• Secondary sources form wavelets similar to the primary source.


• At any given time, the common tangent on the wavelets in the forward
direction gives the new wavefront.
• The wavefront is the sum of the spherical wavelets.
Advantages:
• Huygens concept proved the reflection and refraction of light.
• The concepts like diffraction of light, as well as interference of light,
were proved by Huygens.

Disadvantage:

• Concepts like emission of light, absorption of light and polarization


of light were not explained by Huygens principle.

• Huygens principle failed to explain the photoelectric effect.

• A serious drawback is that the theory proposes an all-pervading


medium required to propagate light called luminiferous ether. This
was proved to be false in the 20th century.
Diffraction of Light
The light bends round the corners of the obstacle or aperture and spreads
to some extent into the region of geometrical shadow. However, the
amount of bending depends upon the size of obstacle and the wavelength
of light. This bending of light is called diffraction. The phenomenon of
diffraction produces bright and dark fringes known as diffraction bands.

The light waves diverge from narrow slit S, pass on obstacle AB


with a straight edge A parallel to the slit, and the geometrical
shadow produces, which can be seen as alternate bright and
dark bands on the screen
The difference between diffraction and interference is given as follows:

(i) In the phenomenon of diffraction, the interaction between the


secondary wavelets originating from different points of the same wave front
takes place, whereas in the interference, two separate wave fronts
originating from two coherent sources superimposed.

(ii) In diffraction, the width of various fringes is never equal, whereas in


interference, the width of fringes may or may not be equal.

(iii) All the maxima are of varying intensity in diffraction, whereas in


interference, all the maxima are of same intensity.

(iv) In diffraction, the regions of maximum intensity are not perfectly bright
and the regions of minimum intensity are not perfectly dark, whereas in
interference the regions of minimum intensity are perfectly dark and the
regions of maximum intensity are perfectly bright.
According to Fresnel, diffraction is due to the interference of the various
secondary wavelets originated from the wave front, which are not
obstructed by the obstacle. The diffraction phenomena are divided into
two classes: (i) Fresnel diffraction and (ii) Fraunhofer diffraction.

(i) Fresnel diffraction: In this class of diffraction, the source of light and
the screen are at finite distance from the diffracting aperture or
obstacle having sharp edge. The wave front incident on the aperture
or obstacle is either spherical or cylindrical. No lens is used to make
the rays parallel.
(ii) Fraunhofer diffraction: In this class of diffraction, the source of light
and the screen are at infinite distance from the diffraction aperture
or obstacle having sharp edge. This can be achieved by placing the
light source at the focal plane of the convex lens and placing the
screen at the focal plane of another convex lens. In this case, the
wave front incident on the aperture or obstacle is a plane wave front .
Single slit Diffraction of Light
Resultant Intensity of light
(5.2)
Double slit Diffraction of Light

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