Question

Two light rays having the same wavelength $\lambda$ in vacuum are in phase initially. Then the first ray travels a path $L_1$ through a medium of refractive index $n_1$ while the second ray travels a path of length $L_2$ through a medium of refractive index $n_2$. The two waves are then combined to produce interference. The phase difference between the two waves is

• A. $\frac{2 \pi}{\lambda} (L_2 - L_1)$
• B. $\frac{2 \pi}{\lambda} (n_1 L_1 - n_2 L_2)$
• C. $\frac{2 \pi}{\lambda} (n_2 L_1 - n_1 L_2)$
• D. $\frac{2 \pi}{\lambda} \big( \frac{L_1}{n_1} - \frac{L_2}{n_2} \big)$

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

The optical path between any two points is proportional to the time of travel.
The distance traversed by light in a medium of refractive index $\mu$ in time t is given by
$d = vt ... (i)$
where v is velocity of light in the medium. The distance traversed by light in a vacuum in this time, $\Delta = ct$
$ = c.\frac{d}{v} [from Eq. (i)]$
$ = d \frac{c}{v} = \mu d ... (ii)$
$ \big(Since, \mu = \frac{c}{v}\big)$
This distance is the equivalent distance in vacuum and is called optical path.
Here, optical path for first ray =$n_1 L_1$
Optical path for second ray = $n_2 L_2$
Path difference = $n_1 L_1 - n_2 L_2$
Now, phase difference
$ =\frac{2 \pi}{\lambda} \times $ path difference
$=\frac{2 \pi}{\lambda} \times (n_1 L_1 - n_2 L_2) $