Fresnel Biprism Setup

NV6028

Operating Manual
Ver 1.1

141-B, Electronic Complex,

Pardeshipura, Indore- 452 010 India
Ph.: 91-731- 6546638
E-mail: info@nvistech.com
Toll free : 1800-103-5050

NV6028

Fresnel Biprism Setup

NV6028
Table of Contents
1.

Introduction

2.

Features

3.

Technical Specifications

4.

Theory

5.

Experiments
Experiment 1
Determination of wavelength of monochromatic light with the
help of Fresnel Biprism.

22

Experiment 2
Determination of fringe width by interference pattern

26

6.

Warranty

29

7.

List of Accessories

29

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Introduction
NV6028 Fresnel Biprism Setup illustrates about the phenomena of interference of
light. Interference is the interaction of two or more waves passing through the same
point. With the help of interference phenomena we can find the wavelength of
monochromatic light source like Laser, Sodium lamp etc. in a very simple manner.
In this experiment students understand the concept of interference, image formation,
and the width of fringes. In addition, we use convex lens here to converge the image
as well as concave to diverge the fringes, which are produced by interference
phenomenon.
Young successfully demonstrated the phenomenon of interference. As Young's
Double Slit Experiment, Double Slit Interference consists of allowing a plane wave to
pass through two narrow slits spaced at a certain distance apart and observing the
intensity distribution given by interference between two parts of the wavefront on a
screen, placed at a certain distance away from the slits. But it was doubted that the
fringes are not due to interference of light waves but due to some modification of light
waves at the slits. These doubts were removed by Fresnels Biprism Experiment.
The interference of two coherent light sources occurs when waves of equal amplitude,
wavelength and velocity meet. They produce and an interference pattern, consisting of
a succession of bright and dark fringes called intensity minima and maxima. The
dark fringe corresponds to destructive interference, while the bright fringes are due to
constructive interference.
By using Biprism, Fresnel obtained two coherent sources from a single source of
refraction.

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Features

A comprehensive and self contained optics system

A complete system with a light source, bench and all other accessories

Sliding uprights are provided

Laser as a monochromatic source is provided

Convex lens is provided for focused image

Concave lens for clear vision of fringes

Two years warranty

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Technical Specifications
Optics Bench
Length

1.5 m

Wavelength

630 nm

Output

Less than 3mW

Dimension

50 x 40 mm

Material

Glass

Refractive Index

1.54

Type

Double Convex

Focal Length

100 mm

Diameter

50mm

Type

Double Concave

Focal Length

200 mm

Diameter

75mm

Horizontal Scale

100-0-100 mm

Vertical Scale

85-0-85 mm

Laser Source

Biprism

Convex Lens

Concave Lens

Screen

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Theory
Optics is the branch of science which describes the behaviour and properties of light
and the interaction of light with matter. Optics explains the optical phenomena.The
field of optics usually describes the behavior of visible, infrared, and ultraviolet light;
however because light is an electromagnetic wave. Geometrical optics deals with the
properties of reflection and refraction of light, as part of the study of mirrors, lenses,
and optical fibers.
Wave :
A wave is a disturbance that propagates through space and time, usually with transfer
of energy. While a mechanical wave exists in a medium (which on deformation is
capable of producing elastic restoring forces), waves of electromagnetic radiation
(and probably gravitational radiation) can travel through vacuum, that is, without a
medium. Waves travel and transfer energy from one point to another, often with little
or no permanent displacement of the particles of the medium (that is, with little or no
associated mass transport); instead there are oscillations around almost fixed
positions.
Periodic waves are characterized by crests (highs) and troughs (lows), and may
usually be categorized as either longitudinal or transverse. Transverse waves are those
with vibrations perpendicular to the direction of the propagation of the wave;
examples include waves on a string and electromagnetic waves. Longitudinal waves
are those with vibrations parallel to the direction of the propagation of the wave;
examples mostly include most sound waves.
Waves can be described using a number of standard variables including: frequency,
wavelength, amplitude and period.
All waves have common behaviour under a number of standard situations. All waves
can experience the following:
Reflection : Waves direction change from hitting a reflective surface.
Refraction : Waves direction change from entering a new medium.
Diffraction : Bending of waves as they interact with obstacles in their path,
most pronounced for wavelengths on the order of the diffracting object size.
Interference : Superposition of two waves that come into contact with each
other (collide).
Dispersion : Wave splitting up by frequency.
Rectilinear propagation : The movement of light waves in a straight line.

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Wavelength :
The wavelength is the distance between two corresponding points in the wave's
pattern (e.g. normally two peaks or two valleys, but can be any other corresponding
points) in some quantity, usually an intensity. It is commonly designated by the greek
letter lambda ().There are two types of wavelength that are excitation and emission
wavelength. The excitation wavelength is the wavelength of the radiation (usually
coming from a laser line) used to stimulate fluorescence in the measured object. The
stimulated dye will emit radiation with a particular emission wavelength.

Figure 1
Frequency and Time Period :
The period (T) is the time for one complete cycle for an oscillation of a wave. The
frequency (f) is how many periods per unit time (for example one second) and is
measured in hertz.
These are related by:
f = 1/T
Frequency is cycles per second. A cycle in a wave is from one point to the same point
as in from crest to crest. Another way to express frequency is:
f= c/
When waves are expressed mathematically, the angular frequency (, radians/second)
is often used; it is related to the frequency f by:
f = / 2
All electromagnetic waves travel at the speed of light in vacuum. (Other waves such
as sound waves travel at much lower velocities), and electromagnetic waves travel at
a speed lower than speed of light in non-vacuum medium. Different types of
electromagnetic waves have different frequencies.

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Amplitude :
The amplitude or peak amplitude of a wave is a measure of oscillation. Amplitudes
are always positive numbers (for example: 3.5, 1, 120) and are never negative (for
example: -3.5, -1, -120). Amplitudes are positive because distance can only be greater
than zero or equal to zero; negative distance does not exist.
The distance from the top of one peak to the bottom of another is called peak-to-peak
amplitude. Or we can say that peak to peak amplitude is the distance between the
maximum positive value and the maximum negative value of a wave.
Speed :
Speed of wave is the distance that wave moves in a certain amount of time. Speed is a
measure of how fast wave is moving. Speed is a scalar quantity. When speed changes
(the wave starts moving faster), it is called acceleration. Decreasing speed is called
deceleration, or negative acceleration.
Basic Optics Property :
Reflection :
When light is incident on any surface and it returns back to the same medium, this
phenomena is known as Reflection.
If a ray of light could be observed approaching and reflecting off a flat mirror, then
the behaviour of the light as it reflects would follow a predictable law known as the
Law of Reflection. The figure 2 below illustrates the law of reflection.

Figure 2
In the figure 2, the ray of light approaching the mirror is known as the Incident Ray
(labeled I in the figure 2). The ray of light which leaves the mirror is known as the
Reflected Ray (labeled R in the figure 2). At the point of incidence where the ray
strikes the mirror, a line can be drawn perpendicular to the surface of the mirror. This
line is known as a Normal line (labeled N in the figure 2). The normal line divides the
angle between the incident ray and the reflected ray into two equal angles. The angle
between the incident ray and the normal is known as the Angle of Incidence. The
angle between the reflected ray and the normal is known as the Angle of Reflection.

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Refraction :
Refraction is the name given to the observed phenomenon that light changes the
direction, or "bends," as it passes the boundary between one medium and another.

Figure 3
Here, we see a beam of light traveling through air, until it meets a surface of glass. It
arrives at some angle to the surface as shown in figure 3. As it passes through the
boundary, going from air to glass, it actually slows down.
If we change the angle at which the light enters the glass, we find that the angle of the
light in the glass also changes, as we change the entering angle more and more away
from the perpendicular, we see that the ray of light in the glass bends more and more
away from the direction taken by that ray of light in the air.
Diffraction :
Diffraction is the phenomena associated with the bending of waves, when they
interact with obstacles in their path. It occurs with any type of wave, including sound
waves, water waves, and electromagnetic waves such as visible light, X-rays and
radio waves. As physical objects have wave-like properties, diffraction also occurs
with matter and can be studied according to the principles of quantum mechanics.
While diffraction always occurs when propagating waves encounter obstacles in their
paths, its effects are generally most pronounced for waves where the wavelength is on
the order of the size of the diffracting objects. The complex patterns resulting from
the intensity of a diffracted wave are a result of interference between different parts of
a wave that traveled to the observer by different paths.

Figure 4
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Polarization :
A light wave which is vibrating in more than one plane is referred to as unpolarized
light. Light emitted by the sun, by a lamp in the classroom, or by a candle flame is
unpolarized light. Such light waves are created by electric charges which vibrate in a
variety of directions, thus creating an electromagnetic wave which vibrates in a
variety of directions. This concept of unpolarized light is rather difficult to visualize.
It is possible to transform unpolarized light into polarized light. Polarized light waves
are light waves in which the vibrations occur in a single plane. The process of
transforming unpolarized light into polarized light is known as polarization.
Polarization is a property of transverse waves which describes the orientation of the
oscillations in the plane perpendicular to the wave's direction of travel. Longitudinal
waves such as sound waves in liquids and gases do not exhibit polarization, because
for these waves the direction of oscillation is along the direction of wave's travel. In
contrast, the direction of the (electric field) oscillation in electromagnetic waves is not
uniquely determined by the direction of propagation. Polarization is present in the
rainbow, in the hidden colour of minerals, in the dance of honeybees, in the flow of
molten metal, in the colour of beetles, and the gloss of tree leaves at dawn etc.
Interference :
Interference is the phenomenon which occurs when two waves meet while traveling
along the same medium. It works on the principle of superposition. The source should
be coherent, monochromatic having same wavelength and same velocity.
Constructive interference is a type of interference which occurs at any location along
the medium where the two interfering waves have a displacement in the same
direction.
Destructive interference is a type of interference which occurs at any location along
the medium where the two interfering waves have a displacement in the opposite
direction.

Figure 5

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Monochromatic light source :

Monochromatic light can be described by only one frequency light of a single
wavelength or very narrow bandwidth. Monochromatic light is made up of a single
colour of light.
A monochromatic light is an optical device that transmits a mechanically selectable
narrow band of wavelengths of light or other radiation chosen from a wider range of
wavelengths available at the input. The name is from the Greek roots, mono-means
single, and chroma means colour.
If we see the figure given below figure 6 shows, the comparision between white light
source and monochromatic light source and in which laser light source is the best
example of monochromatic light source.

Figure 6
A device that can produce monochromatic light has many uses in science and in
optics because many optical characteristics of a material are dependent on colour.
Although there are a number of useful ways to produce pure colours, there are not so
many other ways to easily select any pure colour in a wide range.
Prism :
A prism is a transparent optical element with flat, polished surfaces that refract light.
The exact angles between the surfaces depend on the application. The traditional
geometrical shape is that of a triangular prism with a triangular base and rectangular
sides, and in colloquial use "prism" usually refers to this type. Some types of optical
prism are not in fact in the shape of geometric prisms. Prisms are typically made out
of glass, but can be made from any material that is transparent to the wavelengths for
which they are designed. A prism can be used to break light up into its constituent
spectral colours (the colours of the rainbow). Prisms can also be used to reflect light,
or to split light into components with different polarizations.

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Figure 7
Light changes speed as it moves from one medium to another (for example, from air
into the glass of the prism). This speed-change causes light striking the boundary
between two media at an angle to be refracted and enter the new medium at a different
angle (Huygens principle), or to be reflected away from it. The amount of reflected
light and the degree of bending of the light's path will depend on the angle that the
incident beam of light makes with the surface, and on the ratio between the refractive
indices of the two media (Snell's law).
Types of prisms :
1.

Dispersive prisms : Dispersive prisms are used to break up light into its
constituent spectral colours because the refractive index depends on frequency;
the white light entering the prism is a mixture of different frequencies, each of
which bends slightly differently.

2.

Reflective prisms : Reflective prisms are used to reflect light, for instance in
binoculars.

3.

Polarizing prisms : There are also polarizing prisms which can split a beam of
light into components of varying polarization. These are typically made of a
birefringent crystalline material.

4.

Fresnel biprism : Fresnel Biprism consists of a glass prism, two faces of which
o
make an angle of nearly 180 with one another, and are equally inclined to the
third face making the other two angles each equal to 30.
There are also many other types of prism.

Fresnel Biprism
Figure 8

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Uses of Prism :
Prisms are used to reflect light, for instance in binoculars, since they are easier to
manufacture than mirrors. Prisms can also be used to break up light into its
constituent spectral colours because the refractive index depends on frequency; the
white light entering the prism is a mixture of different frequencies, each of which gets
bends slightly differently. Blue light is slowed down more than red light and will
therefore be bent more than red light.
Lens
A piece of a transparent material, such as glass, with two polished surfaces one
concave or convex, and the other plane, concave, or convex that modifies rays of
light. The way to distinguish among the two types of lenses is to look at the relative
thickness of two parts, the center and the edges. Converging lenses are thicker in the
middle than they are at the edges, while diverging lenses are thicker at the edges than
they are in the middle.
A convex lens brings rays of light together; a concave lens makes the rays diverge.
Here convex lens is used to converge the images of source and concave lens used to
diverge the fringes to count easily.

Convex lens :

It is a converging lens thick in the middle and thin at the edges. If both the surfaces
are convex, it is called a double convex or a bi-convex lens. If one surface is convex
and the other plane is called plano-convex lens. If one surface is concave and the
other is convex is called concavo-convex lens.

Figure 9

Concave lens

It is a diverging lens thin in the middle and thick at the edges. If both the surfaces are
concave, it is called a double concave or a bi-concave lens. If one surface is concave
and the other plane is called plano-concave lens. If one surface is convex and the
other concave is called convexo-concave lens.

Figure 10
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Interference and its types :

Interference is the addition (superposition) of two or more waves that results in a new
wave pattern.
As most commonly used, the term interference usually refers to the interaction of
waves which are correlated or coherent with each other, either because they come
from the same source or because they have the same or nearly the same frequency.
Two non-monochromatic waves are only fully coherent with each other if they both
have exactly the same range of wavelengths and the same phase differences at each of
the constituent wavelengths.
It is based on the principle of superposition and this principle works when two or
more waves pass simultaneously through the same region. When two sinusoidal
waves of the same wavelength and amplitude travel in the same direction, this
principle works there.
The nature of the interference pattern produced by two bobbing sources is shown in
figure 11. The diagram at the right depicts the pattern resulting from the propagation
of water waves across the surface of the water. The waves propagate outward from
the point sources, forming a series of concentric circles about the source. In the
diagram, the thick lines represent wave crests and the thin lines represent wave
troughs. The crests and troughs from the two sources interfere with each other at a
regular rate to produce nodes (shown in dark circle in the diagram) and antinodes
(shown in light circle) along the water surface. The nodal positions are locations
where the water is undisturbed; the antinodal positions are locations where the water
is undergoing maximum disturbances above and below the surrounding water level.
One unique feature of the two-point source interference pattern is that the antinodal
and nodal positions all lie along distinct lines. Each line can be described as a
relatively straight hyperbola. The spatial separation between the antinodal and nodal
lines in the pattern is related to the wavelength of the waves.

Figure 11
If the waves are exactly in phase so that the peaks and valleys of one are exactly
aligned with those of the other, they combine to double the displacement of
either wave.
If they are exactly out of phase they combine to cancel everywhere and they
travel straight.

This phenomenon of combining waves is called interference and the waves are said to
interfere.
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Conditions for Interference :

1.

The light should be monochromatic. (Light of a single wavelength or a narrow

wavelength range).

2.

The two sources, which are producing interference, must be coherent. (The light
waves of same frequency or wavelength and of a stable phase difference).

3.

The waves, which are causing interference, must be of same wavelengths and
must travel with same velocity.

4.

To observe interference pattern clearly, it is necessary that fringe width is

sufficiently large. They should be observing at sufficiently large distance.

The interference of two coherent light sources occurs when waves of equal amplitude
meet. They produce interference pattern, consisting of a succession of bright and dark
fringes called intensity minima and maxima. The dark fringes correspond to
destructive interference, while the bright fringes are due to constructive interference.
In Youngs Double Slit Experiment, light travels through a narrow slit and undergoes
diffraction. This causes the light to spread out and enter two narrow slits. These slits
in theory behave as point sources and light coming from them interferes, to produce a
pattern of bright and dark fringes.
Types of interference :
There are two types of interference Constructive and Destructive Interference.
Light waves from the same source that are traveling in direction D, as illustrated
below in figure 12. If the vibrations, which are perpendicular to the propagation
direction as represented by C, are parallel to each other and are parallel with respect to
the direction of vibration, then the light waves may interfere with each other.
However, if the vibrations are not in the same plane or are vibrating at 90 degrees to
each other, then they cannot interfere with one another. Then the waves can interfere
either constructively or destructively with each other.

Constructive interference :

If the crests of one wave coincide with the crests of the other, the amplitudes of the
waves are additive. Thus, if the amplitudes of both waves are equal, the resultant
amplitude is doubled. It is important to remember, however, that light intensity varies
directly as the square of the amplitude. Thus, if the amplitude of a light wave is
doubled, its intensity is quadrupled. Such additive interference is demonstrated in
figure 12 and is known as Constructive Interference.

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Figure 12
When the two light waves travels have the phase difference is the even integral
multiple of or the path difference is the integral multiple of .
x=n
Where, x is path difference and n = 0, 1, 2 etc.

Destructive Interference :

If the crests of one wave coincide with the troughs of the other wave, the resultant
amplitude is decreased, as illustrated in figure 13. This destructive interference is
accompanied by a decrease in light intensity and may even result in complete
blackness if a total cancellation of light waves occurs.

Figure 13
When the two light waves travels have the phase difference is an odd integral
multiple of or the path difference is the odd integral multiple of /2.
x = (2n + 1) /2
Where, x is path difference and n = 0, 1, 2 etc.
Whenever light constructively interferes (such as when a crest meeting a crest or a
trough meeting a trough), the two waves act to reinforce one another and to produce a
"super light wave." On the other hand, whenever light destructively interferes (such as
when a crest meets a trough), the two waves act to destroy each other and produce no
light wave. Thus, the two-point source interference pattern would still consist of an
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alternating pattern of antinodal lines and nodal lines. However for light waves, the
antinodal lines are equivalent to bright lines and the nodal lines are equivalent to dark
lines. If such an interference pattern could be created by two light sources and
projected onto a screen, then there ought to be an alternating pattern of dark and
bright bands on the screen. Since the central line in such a pattern is an antinodal line,
the central band on the screen ought to be a bright band.

A two point source interference pattern creates an alternating pattern of bright

and dark lines
Figure 14
Young Double Slit Experiment :
The double slit interference of electrons was crucial to the modern understanding of
wave-particle duality, while the original experiments were significant in the
development of the wave model of light. This phenomenon of the particle theory of
light is revealed by an innovative physicist named Thomas Young. In 1801, he
conducted an important experiment, often termed the Double-Slit Experiment, which
demonstrated interference in such a way that it could only be explained if visible light
possessed wave-like properties.

Figure 15
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In his experiment, Young created a coherent light source by diffracting sunlight

through a single slit. However, in figure 15, in which the basic set-up of the doubleslit experiment is illustrated, a coherent red laser acts as the light source. In this
example, coherent laser light illuminates a barrier containing two small apertures and
a screen is placed in the region behind the slits. As the light is diffracted through the
apertures, each diffracted wave meets the other in a series of steps, or phases. When
the waves meet in step, their amplitudes add together due to constructive interference
and a bright area is displayed on the screen. In areas where the waves meet
completely out of step, they subtract from each other due to destructive interference
and a dark area appears in that portion of the screen. The resulting patterns on the
screen, a product of interference between the two diffracted beams of laser light, are
often referred to as interference fringes.
The results of Youngs Double Slit Experiment quite clearly indicate interference and
the wave nature of light, when the experiment was first done objections were raised
that the results were not conclusive since there could have been diffraction effects
from the edge of the slits. To counter this, Augustin Fresnel proposed a series of
interference experiments that would have no diffracting edges. The most notable of
these is the Fresnel biprism, where two virtual sources are created by refraction
through a biprism.
Interference through Fresnel Biprism :
Fresnel Biprism as the name suggests consist of two prisms joined together to form an
isosceles triangle. Light from the slit incident on prism and is refracted through each
half of the prism. This light then interferes with itself to produce an interference
pattern like Youngs slits. In Fresnel biprism there are two point sources with virtual
slits. These slits are created virtually from where the light appears to come after, it is
refracted through the slit.
Fresnel Biprism :
Fresnels Biprism is made by joining two thin prisms at their base to create a single
triangular shape. It consists of two prisms joined to form an isosceles triangle. Light
from single slit S forms spherical waves incident on the biprism and is refracted
through each half of the prism. These light gives interference pattern like Youngs
slits.
Due to the fact that point sources are idealizations this is never the case and unwanted
diffraction effects can occur. The Fresnel biprism overcomes this by replacing the two
point sources with virtual slits. These slits are created virtually where the light appears
to come from after is refracted through the slit. These virtual slits do behave as point
sources S1 and S2. And thus no unwanted effects occur.

Figure 16

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Advantages of Biprism :
Biprism is very useful in many technologies some examples are one category of
technique called single-lens stereovision attracted many researchers interest because
of its significant advantages over the normal stereovision setup including
compactness, low cost, less system parameters and ease of calibration, etc. but with
the biprism this present some new understanding of a single-lens stereovision system
using a biprism (2F filter). Image captured by the real camera with a biprism placed
before its lens, is divided into two equal halves. Each half-image is assumed to be
captured by one virtual camera. Two related but different approaches of
understanding and modeling such a system are introduced one is based on camera
calibration technique and another is based on geometrical analysis. The latter approach
provides an interesting way of understanding this system. A system of electron
interferometry and holography using two electron biprisms has been developed. The
first biprism is installed in the image plane of the objective lens and the second one is
set behind the first magnifying lens, inside the shadow area of the first biprism. The
system can independently control two important parameters for interferograms and
holograms, the fringe spacing and interference width. Thus, it gives us more
flexibility on performing electron interferometry and holography.
In the figure 17, the point a is the refraction edge of biprism by which we get two
images i.e., b and c, now two waves of same wavelength and amplitude traveling
through the same region in same direction then principle of superposition works here
and interfere alternate bright and dark fringes are produced.

Figure 17
Interference band with Biprism :
When a source S is placed parallel to the refracting edge of a biprism, it gives us
virtual images as S1 and S2, a certain distance d apart. The two sources S1 and S2 given
out light waves parallel to each other in the same phase having same amplitude. As
the point O is equidistant from S1 and S2 the displacement will be in the same phase
and it will produce maximum intensity. The intensity at any point P, distant y from O,
depends on the path difference between the rays reaching P from S1 and S2. It will be
maximum, if the path difference (S2P S1P) is even a multiple of half a wavelength
and minimum if it is odd multiple of half a wavelength.

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Figure 18
2

S2 P = D + (y + d/2)

S1P 2 = D 2 + (y - d/2) 2
S2 P 2 S1 P 2

(y + d/2) 2

(y - d/2) 2

= 2dy
Path difference S2 P - S1P =
For maximum intensity

2dy
S2 P + S1P

2dy
2D

d
y
D

d
y=n
D
D
y= n
d

Fringe width x = yn -y n-1

D
D
D
n - (n-1) =

d
d
d
d
=x
D
By measuring x, d and D, the wavelength of monochromatic light can be determined.
When a monochromatic light source is incident on the refracting edge of the biprism,
splits into two halves of the Biprism. The light appears to diverge from two virtual
slits, S1 and S2, separated by a small distance d. Since these sources are coherent,
interference fringes will be produced, where the two beams of light overlap. The
fringe width, x, observed at a distance D cm from the slit is given by
D

d
= ...............nm
x

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To get the interference pattern clearly, we use monochromatic laser source, from
which we get two images that is also of same wavelengths and interference pattern
observed at certain distance.
A
S1
S

N
B

S2
C

Figure 19
Setup of optical bench for Fresnel Biprism :

Figure 20
The optical bench is approximately 1 and half meter long, sufficient length for these
experiments. The components used can be mounted on carriages that slide along the
bench and have calibrated vernier scales to enable accurate determination of their
position. The carriage height can be adjusted, but the horizontal position of the mount
is fixed. The components have slots in their base to fit onto the carriages. In this
optical bench at the left end monochromatic (laser) source, on the second stand
Fresnel Biprism, on third stand of optical bench we place convex lens to converge the
image on the fourth stand concave lens for clear vision of fringes (interference
pattern) and on the fifth stand viewing screen place to observe bright and dark
alternate fringes as shown in figure 20.

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Experiment 1
Objective :
Determination of wavelength of monochromatic light with the help of Fresnel
Biprism
Equipments Needed :
1.

Optics bench

2.

Sliding Stands (3)

3.

Fix stands (2)

4.

Uprights (3)

5.

Monochromatic light source (laser light)

6.

Fresnel biprism

7.

Convex lens

8.

Concave lens

9.

Screen

10. Screen holder

11. Holding rod
Safety :
Never look directly into the laser beam or stare at its bright reflections-just as you
should avoid staring at the sun or other light sources.
Procedure :
1.

Place the optics bench in the dark room and adjust the height of the bench with
the help of leveling screw.

2.

Fix the laser light source with a holding rod.

3.

Now mount the light source on the first fix stand at 0 cm mark of the optics
bench.

4.

Fix the biprism on the upright and mount it on the first sliding stand just near to
the laser source.

5.

Fix the screen in the screen holder and mount it on the second fix stand.

6.

Switch ON the laser light.

Precaution : Laser light must fall on the refracting edge of Biprism.
Note : Adjust the heights of all uprights to be nearly the same i.e., all aligned in
same plane.

8.

Adjust the Biprism position with the help of sliding stand screw.

9.

Move the screen along the optics bench till well defined (sharp and intense)
refractive images are not formed on screen.

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Note : Two virtual images must be seen distinctly.

Figure 21
10. Observe the distance (d) between the images which is obtained due to refraction
(as shown in figure 21).
Precaution: Distance between biprism and screen should be minimum.
11. Measure the distance (d) with the help of scale provided on screen which is
about 1 mm.
12. Tabulate the reading in given observation table 1.
Observation Table 1 :
S. No.

Position of first image Position of second d = c-b

(b) in mm
image (c) in mm

1.
2.
Mean d =
For obtaining the fringe width :
13. Shift the screen at the end of optics bench. Laser and biprism positions are same
as previous.
Note : The positions of laser source and biprism must not be disturbed in whole
experiment.
14. Fix the convex and concave lens on the two uprights.
15. Mount the convex and concave lens on the second and third sliding stand
respectively.

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Figure 22
Note : Both lenses are used to focus the interference pattern.
16. Setup is arranged as shown in figure 22.
17. Adjust the position of both the lenses with the help of the sliding stand screw
(horizontally and vertically) to obtain clear fringes (as shown in figure 23).

Figure 23
18. To observe the fringes more clearly turn the screen and also a concave lens with
a very small angle.
19. Note the number of fringes in 1 cm which will give value of x.
Note : Scale is provided on screen to take the width in cm corresponding to the
number of fringes and then convert into mm.
20. Distance between screen and source i.e., D (in cm) change into mm tabulate in
given observation table 2.
21. Now move screen by 2 cm towards source and again repeat the procedure 17 to
20 and note down the reading in given observation table 2.
For more appropriate result or for clear vision observe the fringes at a far
distance from source like on the wall about 200 cm distance from the source.
Determine the fringe width with the help of vernier caliper.

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Figure 24
Observation Table :
S no.

Position of uprights

Source
(A)

Screen (B)

Number of
fringes (n) in
1 cm

D = B-A (in
mm)

Fringe
width x =
10/n (in
mm)

1.
2.
3.
Mean value of D =..mm
Mean value of x =..

10

mm =

mm

n
22. All the values i.e., d, D and x should be in mm.
23. Put all the values in formula
d
D
= ...............nm

Note : Some conversion are 1cm = 10mm

1m

= 1000 mm

1m

= 100 cm

1m

= 109 nm

1cm

= 107 nm

1 mm = 106 nm
24.

To determine the Percentage Error

Percentage error =

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Actual value - Calculated value 100%

Actual value
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Experiment 2
Objective :
Determination of fringe width by interference pattern
Equipments Needed :
1.

Optics bench

2.

Sliding Stands (3)

3.

Fix stands (2)

4.

Uprights (3)

5.

Laser source

6.

Fresnel biprism

7.

Convex lens

8.

Concave lens

9.

Screen

10. Screen holder

11. Holding rod
Procedure :
1.

Fix the laser light source with a holding rod.

2.

Now mount the light source on the first fix stand at 0 cm of the optics bench.

3.

Fix the biprism on the upright and mount it on the first sliding just near to the
laser source.

4.

Fix the convex and concave lens on the two uprights.

5.

Mount the convex and concave lens on the second and third sliding stand
respectively.
Note :

6.

Both lenses are used to focus the interference pattern.

Fix the screen in the screen holder and mount it on the second fix stand.
Note : This stand must be at the maximum distance from laser source.

7.

Setup is as arrangements shown in figure 25.

8.

Switch ON the laser light.

Precaution : Laser light must fall on the refracting edge of Biprism.

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Figure 25
9.

Adjust the position of both the lenses with the help of sliding stand screw
(horizontally and vertically) to obtain clear fringes (as shown in figure 26).

Figure 26
10. To observe the fringes more clearly turn the screen and also the concave lens
with a very small angle.
11. For the particular number of fringes (10 or 15) take the reading on screen.
Note : Scale is provided on screen to take the width in cm corresponding to the
no. of fringes.
12. For more appropriate result or clear fringes observe the fringes at a far distance
from source like on the wall about 200 cm distances from the source. Determine
the fringe width with the help of vernier caliper.

Figure 27
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13. Note the readings of fringe width.

14. Tabulate the readings in the given observation table.
Observation Table :
S no.

Number of
fringes (n)

Metal plate scale reading (in cm)

1st fringe nth fringe
(a)
(b)

Difference b-a

x = (b-a)/n (in
cm)

1.
2.
3.

Mean of fringe width x = ..

15.

With the help of this formula

x

b-a
n

Fringe width x =..cm

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Warranty
1)

We guarantee the product against all manufacturing defects for 24 months from
the date of sale by us or through our dealers.

2)

The guarantee does not cover perishable item like cathode ray tubes, crystals,
batteries, photocells etc.

3)

The guarantee will become void, if

a)

The product is not operated as per instruction given in the instruction

manual.

b)

The agreed payment terms and other conditions of sale are not followed.

c)

The customer resells the instrument to another party.

d)

Any attempt is made to service and modify the instrument.

4)

The non-working of the product is to be communicated to us immediately giving

full details of the complaints and defects noticed specifically mentioning the
type, serial number of the product and date of purchase etc.

5)

The repair work will be carried out, provided the product is dispatched securely
packed and insured. The transportation charges shall be borne by the customer.

List of Accessories

1.

Optics Bench (1.5 m).....1 No.

2.

Fresnel Biprism..1 No.

3.

Fix Stands..2 Nos.

4.

Sliding Stands...3 Nos.

5.

Laser Light Source.1 No.

6.

Holding Rod...1 No.

7.

Holding Uprights...3 Nos.

8.

Screen1 No.

9.

Screen Holder....1 No.

10.

Concave Lens (f=20cm, d=75mm)1 No.

11.

Convex Lens (f=10cm, d=50mm).1 No.

12.

e-Manual....1 No.

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