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 1080: 96

Answer

The minimum film thickness is $~~\frac{1}{4}$

Work Step by Step

Since the index of refraction of the film has a greater index of refraction than air, there is a phase change of $\frac{\lambda}{2}$ due to reflection with the front surface of the film. Since the index of refraction of the lens has a greater index of refraction than the film, there is a phase change of $\frac{\lambda}{2}$ due to reflection with the back surface of the film. We can think of the net phase change as zero. To eliminate interference, the path length difference should be $(m+0.5)~\lambda$, where $m$ is an integer. To find the minimum thickness $L$, we can let $m = 0$: $2L = (m+0.5)~\lambda$ $L = \frac{(m+0.5)~\lambda}{2}$ $L = \frac{\lambda}{4}$ As a multiple of $\lambda$, the minimum film thickness is $~~\frac{1}{4}$
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