Two waves of light in air, of wavelength 585. nm, are initially in phase. They t

Question

Two waves of light in air, of wavelength 585. nm, are initially in phase. They then travel through plastic layers as shown in Fig. 36-28, withL1 = 4.40 ?m, L2 = 2.56 ?m, n1 = 1.45, and n2 = 1.75.

(a) In wavelengths, what is their phase difference after they both have emerged from the layers?
wavelengths

Two waves of light in air, of wavelength 585. nm, are initially in phase. They then travel through plastic layers as shown in Fig. 36 - 28, withL1 = 4.40 m, L2 = 2.56 m, n1 = 1.45, and n2 = 1.75. (a) In wavelengths, what is their phase difference after they both have emerged from the layers? wavelengths

Explanation / Answer

Note that

OPD = n1L1 - n2L2 + (L2 - L1)

where

OPD = the optical path difference
n1 = index of refraction of first medium
L1 = thickness of medium 1
n2 = index of refraction of second medium
L2 = thickness of medium 2

Thus,

OPD = 1.9 um = 3740 nm

Thus, in terms of wavelengths,

OPD = 3740 nm / (585 nm/wavelength)

= 6.39 wavelengths [answer]

DONE!

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