web analytics

What is diffraction grating?

Diffraction grating Diffraction grating is an extremely useful device. In one of its form it consists of a very large number of narrow slits side by side. The slits are separated by opaque spaces. Diffraction gratings are of two types; transmission grating and reflection grating. Transmission grating: When a wavefront is incident on a grating … Read more

What do you mean by Fresnel and Fraunhofer class of diffraction?

Diffraction phenomena can conveniently divided into two groups. Fresnel Diffraction Phenomena: In the Fresnel class of diffraction, the source or the screen or the both are at finite distances from the aperture or obstacle causing diffraction. In this case, the effect at a specific point on the screen due to the exposed incident wavefront is considered … Read more

Why two independent source of light can not produce interference?

Two independent sources of light can not produce interference because a large number of difficulties are involved. The two sources may emit light waves of largely different amplitude and wave length and the phase difference between the two may change with time. That’s why interference of light is produced by two coherent sources which are … Read more

What do you mean by coherent sources? How are they realized in practice?

Coherent sources Two sources are said to be coherent if they emit light waves of same frequency, nearly equal amplitude and are always in phase with each other. Realization in practice In practice it is not possible to have two independent sources which are coherent. But for experimental purpose, two virtual sources formed by a … Read more