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 1077: 68

Answer

$L = 478~nm$

Work Step by Step

Since $n_2 \gt n_1$ and $n_2 \gt n_3$, there is no phase shift 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 thickness $L$: $2L = \frac{(m+\frac{1}{2})~\lambda}{n_2},$ where $m$ is an integer $L = \frac{(m+\frac{1}{2})~\lambda}{2~n_2}$ $L = \frac{(m+\frac{1}{2})~(612~nm)}{(2)~(1.60)}$ $L = (m+\frac{1}{2})~(191.25~nm)$ $L= 95.6~nm, 287~nm, 478~nm,...$ Since we are looking for the third least thickness, $~~L = 478~nm$
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