Fundamentals of Physics Extended (10th Edition)

Published by Wiley
ISBN 10: 1-11823-072-8
ISBN 13: 978-1-11823-072-5

Chapter 35 - Interference - Problems - Page 1076: 44

Answer

$L = 329~nm$

Work Step by Step

Note that light in the visible range has a wavelength of approximately $400~nm$ to $700~nm$ Since $n_2 \lt n_1$, there is no phase shift of ray $r_1$ due to reflection. Since $n_3 \gt n_2$, there is a phase shift of $\frac{1}{2}~\lambda$ of ray $r_2$ due to reflection. Since we are looking for a maximum, the path length difference must be $~~(m+\frac{1}{2})~\frac{\lambda}{n_2}~~$, where $m$ is an integer. We can find the required thickness $L$: $2L = \frac{(m+\frac{1}{2})~\lambda}{n_2},$ where $m$ is an integer $L = \frac{(m+\frac{1}{2})~\lambda}{2~n_2}$ $L = \frac{(m+\frac{1}{2})~(587~nm)}{(2)~(1.34)}$ $L = (m+\frac{1}{2})~(219.03~nm)$ $L = 110~nm, 329~nm,...$ Since we are looking for the second least thickness, $~~L = 329~nm$
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