1. Two narrow slits are separated by a distance d.

Their interference pattern is

to be observed on a screen a large distance L away. (a) Calculate the spacing
between successive maxima near the center fringe for light that has a 500
nm wavelength, when L is 1.00 m and d is 1.00 cm. (b) How close together
should the slits be placed for the maxima to be separated by 1.00 mm for this
wavelength and screen distance?

Solution
The double-slit diffraction equation is d
sin m = m,
where m is the angle through which the mth order is diffracted, and is the
wavelength. Now, since d then 1 (in radians). So, we can replace sin by
.
Hence, for small angles dm = m.
Now, if the light is bent through an angle m and impacts on a wall a distance
L away, then it is diffracted through a distance ym = L tan m.
Again, though, if m is small, then tan m m,
and so ym Lm = m L d ,
where we have plugged in the diffraction equation. Now we can proceed with
our problem.
1 (a) The spacing between successive spacings is y = ym+1 ym = (m +
1) L d m L d = L d , which doesnt depend on the order (for these small
angles). Plugging in the numbers we find y = ym+1 ym = L d = 500
109 1 102 = 5 105 m = 50 m.
(b) Now, solving for d gives d = L y = 500 109 1 103 = 5 104 m
= 0.5 mm.
2.