Flashcards : Fundamentals of Light: Wave, Interference, and Diffraction — 24 cartes

Light exhibits both wave and particle properties.

Light propagates as an electromagnetic wave.

Light consists of photons, discrete energy quanta.

Surface of constant phase in a wave.

Movement of wave-fronts indicating wave travel direction.

Wave-fronts are formed by secondary wavelets from each point.

Requires coherent, monochromatic sources.

Superposition of coherent light waves.

Demonstrates interference with bright and dark fringes.

Δy = (λ D)/d, relates wavelength, distance, slit separation.

Coherence, monochromaticity, proper path difference.

Proves wave nature of light via interference fringes.

Splits and recombines light to measure small distances.

Detects tiny path differences, measures distances or gravitational waves.

Ripples in spacetime from accelerating massive objects.

Using laser interferometers to observe spacetime distortions.

Light bends and spreads around obstacles or through slits.

Central bright maximum with successive dimmer fringes.

Disperses light into spectrum via multiple slits.

2 d sin θ = m λ, for constructive X-ray diffraction.

Electric field oscillates in a single plane.

Unpolarised: random electric oscillations; Polarised: single plane.

At Brewster’s angle, reflected light becomes polarised.

I = I₀ cos²θ, describes intensity after polariser.