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: 51

Answer

$\lambda = 409~nm$

Work Step by Step

Note that light in the visible range has a wavelength of approximately $400~nm$ to $700~nm$ Since $n_2 \gt n_1$, there is a phase shift of $\frac{1}{2}~\lambda$ 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 minimum, the path length difference must be $~~(m+\frac{1}{2})~\frac{\lambda}{n_2}~~$, where $m$ is an integer. We can find the required wavelength $\lambda$: $2L = \frac{(m+\frac{1}{2})~\lambda}{n_2},$ where $m$ is an integer $\lambda = \frac{2~L~n_2}{(m+\frac{1}{2})}$ $\lambda = \frac{(2)~(210~nm)~(1.46)}{(m+\frac{1}{2})}$ $\lambda = \frac{(613.2~nm)}{(m+\frac{1}{2})}$ $\lambda = 1226.4~nm, 409~nm$ Since $409~nm$ is in the visible range, $~~\lambda = 409~nm$
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