Wavefront:

A wavelet is the point of disturbance due to propagation of light.

A wavefront is the locus of points (wavelets) having the same phase of
oscillations.
A line perpendicular to a wavefront is called a ‘ray’.

Spherical Cylindrical
Wavefront Wavefront
from a point • from a linear
source source

Plane Pink Dots – Wavelets

Wavefront Blue Envelope– Wavefront
Red Line – Ray
Huygens’ Construction or Huygens’ Principle of Secondary
Wavelets:

. . .
. .
. .
S• . .
. .
. . New
. .
New Wavefront
(Spherical) . Wave-
front
. (Plane)
(Wavelets - Red dots on the wavefront)

1. Each point on a wavefront acts as a fresh source of disturbance of light.

2. The new wavefront at any time later is obtained by taking the forward
envelope of all the secondary wavelets at that time.
Laws of Reflection at a Plane Surface (On Huygens’ Principle):
If c be the speed of light, t
be the time taken by light to
go from B to C or A to D or
N N
E to G through F, then

EF FG B D
t = + E G
c c r
i
X i r
AF sin i FC sin r Y
t = + A F C
c c
AB – Incident wavefront
AC sin r + AF (sin i – sin r)
t = CD – Reflected wavefront
c XY – Reflecting surface

For rays of light from different parts on the incident wavefront, the values of
AF are different. But light from different points of the incident wavefront
should take the same time to reach the corresponding points on the
reflected wavefront.
So, t should not depend upon AF. This is possible only if sin i – sin r = 0.

i.e. sin i = sin r or i=r

Laws of Refraction at a Plane Surface (On Huygens’ Principle):
If c be the speed of light, t
be the time taken by light to N N
go from B to C or A to D or
B Rarer
E to G through F, then
E c, μ1
i
EF FG X i F C
t = + r Y
c v A Denser
G v, μ2
AF sin i FC sin r r
t = + D
c v
AC sin r sin i sin r
t = + AF ( - ) AB – Incident wavefront
v c v CD – Refracted wavefront
XY – Refracting surface
For rays of light from different parts on the incident wavefront, the values of
AF are different. But light from different points of the incident wavefront
should take the same time to reach the corresponding points on the
refracted wavefront.
So, t should not depend upon AF. This is possible only
sin i sin r sin i sin r sin i c
if - or = or = = μ
c v =0 c v sin r v
Behaviour of a Plane Wavefront in a Concave Mirror, Convex Mirror,
Convex Lens, Concave Lens and Prism:
C
A A
C

D
B B
Concave Mirror D Convex Mirror
C
A A
C

D
B B
Convex Lens Concave Lens D

AB – Incident wavefront CD – Reflected / Refracted wavefront

 A C

B D
Prism
Prism
AB – Incident wavefront CD –Refracted wavefront

Coherent Sources:
Coherent Sources of light are those sources of light which emit light waves of
same wavelength, same frequency and in same phase or having constant
phase difference.
Coherent sources can be produced by two methods:
1. By division of wavefront (Young’s Double Slit Experiment, Fresnel’s
Biprism and Lloyd’s Mirror)
2. By division of amplitude (Partial reflection or refraction)
Interference of Waves:
E 1 + E2 Bright Band
E1

Dark Band
E2 S1 •
Bright Band
S2 •
Dark Band
Constructive Interference E = E1 + E2
E1
E 1 - E2 Bright Band
E2

Crest
Destructive Interference E = E1 - E2 Trough
Bright Band
1st Wave (E1) Dark Band
2nd Wave
(E2) Resultant The phenomenon of one wave interfering
Wave with another and the resulting
Reference Line redistribution of energy in the space
around the two sources of disturbance is
called interference of waves.
Theory of Interference of Waves:
The waves are with same speed, wavelength, frequency,
E1 = a sin ωt
time period, nearly equal amplitudes, travelling in the
E2 = b sin (ωt + Φ) same direction with constant phase difference of Φ.
ω is the angular frequency of the waves, a,b are the
amplitudes and E1, E2 are the instantaneous values of
Electric displacement.
Applying superposition principle, the magnitude of the resultant displacement
of the waves is E = E1 + E2
E = a sin ωt + b sin (ωt + Φ)
E = (a + b cos Φ) sin ωt + b sin Φ cos ωt
Putting a + b cos Φ = A cos θ (where E is the
A sin θ
resultant
b sin Φ = A sin θ displacement, A b sin Φ
b
is the resultant A
We get E = A sin (ωt + θ) amplitude and
θ is the resultant
phase difference) Φ θ
a
A = √ (a2 + b2 + 2ab cos Φ) b cos Φ
b sin Φ A cos θ
tan θ =
a + b cos Φ
 A = √ (a2 + b2 + 2ab cos Φ)

Intensity I is proportional to the square of the amplitude of the

wave.
So, I α A2 i.e. I α (a2 + b2 + 2ab cos Φ)
Condition for Constructive Interference of Waves:
For constructive interference, I should be maximum which is possible
only if cos Φ = +1.
i.e. Φ = 2nπ where n = 0, 1, 2, 3, …….

Corresponding path difference is ∆ = (λ / 2 π) x 2nπ

∆=nλ Imax α (a + b)2

Condition for Destructive Interference of Waves:

For destructive interference, I should be minimum which is possible
only if cos Φ = - 1.

i.e. Φ = (2n + 1)π where n = 0, 1, 2, 3, …….

Corresponding path difference is ∆ = (λ / 2 π) x (2n + 1)π

∆ = (2n + 1) λ / 2 Iminα (a - b)2

Comparison of intensities of maxima and minima:

Imax α (a + b)2

Imin α (a - b)2

Imax (a + b)2 (a/b + 1)2

= =
Imin (a - b) 2 (a/b - 1)2

Imax (r + 1)2
= where r = a / b (ratio of the amplitudes)
Imin (r - 1) 2

Relation between Intensity (I), Amplitude (a) of the wave and

Width (w) of the slit:

I α a2
a α √w I1 (a1)2 w1
= =
I2 (a2) 2
w2
Young’s Double Slit Experiment:

S •
Single Slit Double Slit
P

S1
y Screen
d/2
S • d
d/2
O
S2
D

The waves from S1 and S2 reach the point P with

some phase difference and hence path difference
∆ = S2P – S1P
S2P2 – S1P2 = [D2 + {y + (d/2)}2] - [D2 + {y - (d/2)}2]

(S2P – S1P) (S2P + S1P) = 2 yd ∆ (2D) = 2 yd ∆ = yd / D

Positions of Bright Fringes: Positions of Dark Fringes:
For a bright fringe at P, For a dark fringe at P,
∆ = yd / D = nλ ∆ = yd / D = (2n+1)λ/2
where n = 0, 1, 2, 3, … where n = 0, 1, 2, 3, …

y=nDλ/d y = (2n+1) D λ / 2d
For n = 0, y0 = 0 For n = 0, y0’ = D λ / 2d
For n = 1, y1 = D λ / d For n = 1, y1’ = 3D λ / 2d
For n = 2, y2 = 2 D λ / d …… For n = 2, y2’ = 5D λ / 2d …..
For n = n, yn = n D λ / d For n = n, yn’ = (2n+1)D λ / 2d

Expression for Dark Fringe Width: Expression for Bright Fringe Width:
βD = yn – yn-1 βB = yn’ – yn-1’
= n D λ / d – (n – 1) D λ / d = (2n+1) D λ / 2d – {2(n-1)+1} D λ / 2d
=Dλ/d =Dλ/d

The expressions for fringe width show that the fringes are equally spaced on
the screen.
 Distribution of Intensity:
Suppose the two interfering waves
Intensity have same amplitude say ‘a’, then
Imax α (a+a)2 i.e. Imax α 4a2
All the bright fringes have this same
intensity.
Imin = 0
y 0 y
All the dark fringes have zero
intensity.
Conditions for sustained interference:
1. The two sources producing interference must be coherent.
2. The two interfering wave trains must have the same plane of
polarisation.
3. The two sources must be very close to each other and the pattern must
be observed at a larger distance to have sufficient width of the fringe.
(D λ / d)
4. The sources must be monochromatic. Otherwise, the fringes of different
colours will overlap.
5. The two waves must be having same amplitude for better contrast
between bright and dark fringes.
Diffraction of light:
The phenomenon of bending of light around the corners and the
encroachment of light within the geometrical shadow of the opaque obstacles
is called diffraction.

X
X

S• S•

Slit Y
Y
Obstacle

Screen

Diffraction at a slit Diffraction at an obstacle Screen

X & Y – Region of diffraction
Diffraction of light at a single slit:
1) At an angle of diffraction θ = 0°:

A θ = 0°
0 •
1 •
2 •
3 •
4 •
d 5 • Bright
6 • •O
7 •
8 •
9 •
10
•
11
12
•
• D
Plane B
Wavefront Slit
Screen
The wavelets from the single wavefront reach the centre O on
the screen in same phase and hence interfere constructively
to give Central or Primary Maximum (Bright fringe).
2) At an angle of diffraction θ = θ1:
The slit is imagined to be divided into 2 equal halves.

θ1
A
0 •
1 • •
2 • P1 Dark
3 •
4 •
5 • θ1
Bright
6 • •O
•
7 λ/2
8 •
9 •
10
•
11
12
• N
θ1
•
Plane B λ
Wavefront Slit
The wavelets from the single wavefront diffract at an angle θ1 such Screen
that BN is λ and reach the point P1. The pairs (0,6), (1,7), (2,8), (3,9),
(4,10), (5,11) and (6,12) interfere destructively with path difference
λ/2 and give First Secondary Minimum (Dark fringe).
3) At an angle of diffraction θ = θ2:
The slit is imagined to be divided into 4 equal parts.
• P2 Dark

A θ2
• P1 ’
0 •
1 •
2 • • P1 Dark
3 • λ/2
4 •
5 • θ2
6 • •O Bright
7 • λ
8 •
9 • 3λ/2
10
• N
11
12
• θ2
•
B 2λ
Plane
Wavefront Slit
Screen
The wavelets from the single wavefront diffract at an angle θ2 such that
BN is 2λ and reach the point P2. The pairs (0,3), (1,4), (2,5), (3,6), (4,7),
(5,8), (6,9), (7,10), (8,11) and (9,12) interfere destructively with path
difference λ/2 and give Second Secondary Minimum (Dark fringe).
4) At an angle of diffraction θ = θ1’:
The slit is imagined to be divided into 3 equal parts. • P2

A
θ1’ • P1’ Bright
0 •
1 •
2 • • P1 Dark
3 •
4 •
•
5 λ/2 θ1’
6 • •O Bright
7 •
8 • λ
9 •
10
•
11
12
• N θ1’
•
Plane B
3λ/2
Wavefront Slit
The wavelets from the single wavefront diffract at an angle θ1’ such that Screen
BN is 3λ/2 and reach the point P1’. The pairs (0,8), (1,9), (2,10), (3,11) and
(4,12) interfere constructively with path difference λ and (0,4), (1,5), (2,6),
…… and (8,12) interfere destructively with path difference λ/2. However
due to a few wavelets interfering constructively First Secondary
Maximum (Bright fringe) is formed.
Diffraction at various angles:
•• P2 θ2

θθ’
AA θ = 101 θ2
• P1 ’ θ1’
0 •
•
1
2 • •• PP11 θ1
•
3 λ/2
4 •
•
5 λ/2 θθ2 ’ θ1 θ=0
6 • 1
•O
7 λ/2λ
• I
8 • λ
9• 3λ/2
10
•
11
• Nθ θN ’
12 N2 θ1 1
•
BB λ 2λ
Plane 3λ/2
Wavefront Slit
Screen
Central Maximum is the brightest fringe.
Diffraction is not visible after a few order of diffraction.
Theory:
The path difference between the 0th wavelet and 12th wavelet is BN.
If ‘θ’ is the angle of diffraction and ‘d’ is the slit width, then BN = d sin θ
To establish the condition for secondary minima, the slit is divided into 2, 4,
6, … equal parts such that corresponding wavelets from successive regions
interfere with path difference of λ/2.
Or for nth secondary minimum, the slit can be divided into 2n equal parts.
For θ1, d sin θ1 = λ Since θn is very small,
For θ2, d sin θ2 = 2λ d θn = nλ
For θn, d sin θn = nλ θn = nλ / d (n = 1, 2, 3, ……)

To establish the condition for secondary maxima, the slit is divided into 3, 5,
7, … equal parts such that corresponding wavelets from alternate regions
interfere with path difference of λ.
Or for nth secondary minimum, the slit can be divided into (2n + 1) equal
parts.
For θ1’, d sin θ1’ = 3λ/2 Since θn’ is very small,
For θ2’, d sin θ2’ = 5λ/2 d θn’ = (2n + 1)λ / 2
For θn’, d sin θn’ = (2n + 1)λ/2 θn’ = (2n + 1)λ / 2d (n = 1, 2, 3, ……)
Width of Central Maximum:

θ1
A
0 •
•
1
2 • • P1 Dark
3 •
4 • y1
d 5 • θ1
6 • •O Bright
D
7 λ/2•
8 •
9 •
10
•
11
12
• N
θ1
•
Plane B λ
Wavefront Slit
tan θ1 = y1 / D Screen
y1 = D λ / d
or θ1 = y1 / D (since θ1 is very small) Since the Central Maximum is
spread on either side of O, the
d sin θ1 = λ width is
β0 = 2D λ / d
or θ1 = λ / d (since θ1 is very small)
Fresnel’s Distance:
Fresnel’s distance is that distance from the slit at which the spreading
of light due to diffraction becomes equal to the size of the slit.
y1 = D λ / d
At Fresnel’s distance, y1 = d and D = DF
So, DF λ / d = d or DF = d 2 / λ
If the distance D between the slit and the screen is less than Fresnel’s
distance DF, then the diffraction effects may be regarded as absent.
So, ray optics may be regarded as a limiting case of wave optics.
Difference between Interference and Diffraction:
Interference Diffraction
1. Interference is due to the 1. Diffraction is due to the
superposition of two different superposition of secondary
wave trains coming from coherent wavelets from the different parts
sources. of the same wavefront.
2. Fringe width is generally constant. 2. Fringes are of varying width.
3. All the maxima have the same 3. The maxima are of varying
intensity. intensities.
4. There is a good contrast between 4. There is a poor contrast between
the maxima and minima. the maxima and minima.