What is Interference pattern: Definition and 114 Discussions

In physics, interference is a phenomenon in which two waves superpose to form a resultant wave of greater, lower, or the same amplitude. Constructive and destructive interference result from the interaction of waves that are correlated or coherent with each other, either because they come from the same source or because they have the same or nearly the same frequency. Interference effects can be observed with all types of waves, for example, light, radio, acoustic, surface water waves, gravity waves, or matter waves. The resulting images or graphs are called interferograms.

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  1. V

    What interference pattern of double-slit experiment does mean

    I have a doubt about the interference wave pattern of double slit experiment with light beam. does it mean the interference of electromagnetic wave (which tells about the frequency causing color) or Spatial probability wave (which was explained by Max Born). I am not good at math. can someone...
  2. F

    Why do we get an interference pattern in a double slit experiment?

    This is another one of those things that I had always assumed to have a very simple explanation. After all, I've seen so many simulations of waves interfering with each other and forming the distinctive interference pattern, and even watched the patterns emerge in actual water waves. The pattern...
  3. E

    Double slit - why do we get an interference pattern?

    In a standard 2 slit experiment setup when the interference pattern is visible - if the screen is moved forward the pattern must 'move' across the screen as the alignment of wave peaks and troughs change. I.e if we start with an intense band at the centre then move the screen forward half the...
  4. J

    Simulating the Interference Pattern of Fraunhofer Diffraction

    http://img42.imageshack.us/img42/8280/oahh.png http://img109.imageshack.us/img109/4669/1ypb.png http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/8804/32kf.png
  5. I

    An interesting way to get an interference pattern

    OK so before I begin I will ask that you forgive me because I do not have a working knowledge of the mathematics involved here and I am admittedly not even at a novice level of understanding these things. However I have done at least some research and understand how an interference pattern does...
  6. 5

    Why is it not possible to see the interference pattern of white light

    'The colour seen when white light is used as a source for a Young’s double slit experiment are sometimes mistaken for the spectrum of visible light.' Why is this not possible with a two slit interference pattern? I know that the different wavelengths will all cause interference with each...
  7. andrewkirk

    Is destruction of dbl-slit interference pattern wavefunction collapse?

    I have read in several places (such as this StackExchange reply) that wavefunction collapse is 'non-physical'. The explanations I have read seem clear and understandable to me and have helped me to understand EPR and the implications of Bell's Theorem. I am trying to reconcile this in my mind...
  8. S

    Other ways to create an interference pattern?

    Another newbie question if I may... I have previously questioned some of the general assumptions made about the double slit experiment. Particularly the idea that particles of matter cannot create an 'interference pattern'. I always read that if you shot matter at a double slit that you would...
  9. R

    HELP Two point source interference pattern

    Homework Statement 2 point sources 20cm apart produce 3 cm waves at a rate of 8 waves every 1.2 secondsHomework Equations how many nodal lines are present what is the angular deviation of the 3rd nodal line? what is the angle between the 3rd nodal line and the 5th nodal line? The Attempt at a...
  10. DrChinese

    Double-slit interference pattern measurement with entangled photons

    Although it is well known that a series of individual photons will build up an interference pattern in a double slit setup, there have been few (if any) experiments where such a pattern is built up by sending photons through one at a time. Here is a great experiment from one of the top quantum...
  11. S

    Why unequal fringe width in Michelson interference pattern?

    why unequal fringe width in Michelson interference pattern?
  12. S

    Interference pattern calculations for unequal slits per QM theory

    I am trying to understand how QM theory (wave-functions) are applied to Interference pattern calculations for unequal slits for a single particle double slit experiment case 1: both slits are equidistant from the "center", however one slit is bigger and the ratio of the width between the slits...
  13. T

    Determining interference pattern for two loudspeakers

    Homework Statement Two loudspeakers, at the same height are 2m apart and in phase with each other.Both emit 705Hz sound waves into a room. A listener stands 5m in front of the loudspeakers and 2m to one side of the centre. a) Is the interference pattern at this point...
  14. T

    Why do light form an interference pattern when passing through only one slit?

    Hi guys, i know that if we were to have one water wave passing through two slit, an interference pattern would be form. However, i am still unclear of the kind of the pattern that will be form when a single water wave were to pass through a single slit. Will it form an interference pattern too...
  15. S

    Effect of phase difference on interference pattern

    When two wave functions are in perfect phase = constructive interference when the phase difference is half (the wavelength) = destructive interference What happens when the phase difference is more than one wavelength in case of: Case 1: single particle interference Case 2: two-photon...
  16. J

    Interference pattern from a plano-concave lens

    Hello. I need some sort of explanation. I was unsuccessfully trying to find information on the web and derivation by hand seems rather complicated for me. So I have a such set-up: HeNe laser ->> plano-concave lense )], light is incident by some angle (NON 0°). then looking to reflection...
  17. D

    Cathode ray create interference pattern?

    If I were to construct a cathode ray tube in which the beam of electrons was focused on a double slit, behind which was a screen of phosphorous, could I create an interference pattern? Could this setup be made at home? I imagine making the slits would be the most difficult part. Or is this...
  18. D

    Evidencing interference pattern using Young's slits and sunlight - help required

    I am an artist with some knowledge of physics and I am trying to build a pinhole camera to expose photographic film using sunlight that passes through a filter, pinholes and Young's slits. I would like to photograph an interference pattern using the sun as the subject. My prototype camera...
  19. A

    How can we explain the behavior of interference patterns in different frames?

    A train is moving from the left to the right direction. There is a light source emitting 2 beams of lights toward 2 slits A and B at both ends of the train. The source is put near the slit A Than B. A ground observer is watching the scene and sees that the 2 light rays reaching A and B...
  20. A

    Interference Pattern versus SR

    I posted this thought experiment in a previous thread before 4 months or so, but I would like to reiterate it now: A frame of reference (FOR) has double slits moves relative to a ground FOR. Let`s make an arrangement so that when the 2 ends of FORs coincide, 2 small slits of moving FOR are...
  21. S

    Is there an interference pattern within a non-interference pattern?

    Consider two scenarios: Scenario 1: Single slit, single photons sent one by one. We would have a blob or column of dots. However inside this column is there an interference pattern hidden? Scenario 2: Double slit, single photons sent one by one, however we have instrumentation in...
  22. V

    Interference pattern after the region of the interference

    Hi, I'm concerned about one question about light interference. It's said that light energy is redistributed during interference. That creates pattern. One slit or double slit interference create maximums and minimums on the screen where the interference takes place. Now imagine a...
  23. J

    Double Slit Interference Pattern

    I am trying to calculate how wide of a screen you would need in order to observe an interference pattern produced by Young's original real-life double slit experiment. He cut a single narrow slit (width ds) in a window shade, admitting a narrow sliver of sunlight into a dark room. He inserted...
  24. Z

    Cause of interference pattern in the Michelson Interferometer.

    The books say that interference happens basically between the light waves from the two mirrors. But it seems to me that the path difference between the pairs remains constant for all the waves (as long as both the mirrors are perpendicular to each other). So why do circular rings form? How does...
  25. 3

    What Does Each Symbol in the Interference Pattern Equation Represent?

    i have a class test tomorrow and I've been studying but i can't find this one equation in the textbook and was looking for some help. I am asked to 'determine the distance between a diffraction grating and a screen by using the interference pattern equation.' this is a practical exam and count...
  26. J

    Motivation for 2-slit interference pattern

    Homework Statement Using the eigenstates of x_op, show that the probability of finding a system described by a wavefunction Psi(x) at a position between a and a+da is given by lY(a)l^2da. Comment on a connection to initial motivation for a wave function from 2-slit interference pattern...
  27. JJBladester

    Diffraction Grating interference pattern

    Homework Statement This is the interference pattern on a viewing screen behind two slits. (image of 7 bright fringes with black fringes between every pair of bright fringes) How would the pattern change if the two slits were replaced by 20 slits having the same spacing d between...
  28. E

    Calculating Electron Interference Pattern Minima with Double-Slit Apparatus

    Homework Statement Electrons are accelerated through a 20 V potential difference, producing a mono energetic beam. This is directed at a double-slit apparatus of 0.010mm slit separation. A bank of electron detectors is 10m beyond the double slit. With slit 1 alone open, 100 electrons per...
  29. 1

    Two-point source interference pattern

    Homework Statement A two-point source interference pattern is generated by sources operating in phase at 1.0 Hz. The sources are 2.0 m apart and the wavelength of the waves is 0.60 m. At what angles, measured from the centre line of the pattern, are the nodal lines produced located...
  30. J

    Two Point Source Interference pattern

    Homework Statement Studying physics in High school, and for two years now we have covered two point source interference patterns with light, sound, and water wave in a ripple tank per say. The type of wave nor medium is necessary significant for me at the moment, but I am having trouble...
  31. A

    Interference pattern observed half-way into the formation

    We know that the interference pattern forms even when photons (or electrons etc.) are sent one at a time. The photons only land on the fringe parts of the screen and not the dark part - as if directed by some underlying information about where they are supposed to go. So far so good...
  32. J

    Far-field interference pattern in double slit experiment

    Homework Statement An interference experiment employs two narrow parallel slits of separation 0.25mm, and monochromatic light of wavelength \lambda = 500 nm. Estimate the minimum distance that the projection screen must be placed behind the slits in order to obtain a far-field interference...
  33. D

    Interference Pattern from a wedge

    Hi. What I have is a wedge with a flat surface at the top which I have 632nm light incident normal to the surface. What I want to be able to do is measure theta of the wedge. I am having trouble drawing the connection of the formula I have directly to the optical path length difference...
  34. E

    Electron/photon interference pattern questioned

    The interference pattern created by the distribution of particles (electrons or photons) is related to the wave behavior. We interpret the probability distribution as the intensity distribution of 2 interfering waves. Say, a single electron travels toward the 2-slits, it diffracts like...
  35. S

    Double slit interference pattern

    Homework Statement Two slits are separated by 0.320 mm. A beam of 500-nm light strikes the slits, producing an interference pattern. Determine the number of maxima observed in the angular range -30 degrees < theta < 30 degrees. Homework Equations d*sin(theta) = m*(lambda) The...
  36. jaketodd

    Interference Pattern Properties

    Why does the distance from a light source to the two slits make a difference in the interference pattern? Thanks, Jake
  37. R

    Can 3-D Interference Patterns Exist in Real Life?

    Is it possible to have a 3-D interference pattern ?? if yes how can i achieve it?
  38. R

    Interference pattern with some fringes missing

    hi i was wondering whether we can produce a interferece pattern with some bright fringes missing( i.e not appearing at all). If yes..how it can be achieved?:confused:
  39. M

    Slit interference pattern depends or whether there is a clock in the room?

    Below is a question (paraphrased) which I addressed to two physics lecturers on the subject of slit diffraction. The problem I have is that answer I received from them sounds so ridiculous and impossible that I find it difficult to accept. I asked the question independently to both lecturers...
  40. S

    Interference pattern formed by an air wedge.

    An air wedge is formed between two glass plates separated at one edge by a very fine wire. When the wedge is illuminated from above by a 600nm light and viewed from above, 30 dark fringes are observed. Calculate the radius of the wire. Am I correct to consider only the bottom surface of the top...
  41. C

    Is it true photons will not produce an interference pattern in a vacuum?

    "In this study, it is shown with reasons that superposition principle does not work in vacuum. This case can be observed by Young type double slit experiment to be carried out. Since field-field interaction is carried through charged particles, in the absence of charged particles linear...
  42. W

    Wave Interference Pattern Question

    A two-point source operates at a frequency of 1.0 Hz to produce an interference pattern in a ripple tank. The sources are 2.5 cm apart and the wavelength of the waves is 1.2 cm. Calculate the angles at which the nodal lines in the pattern are far from the sources. (Assume the angles are...
  43. M

    Interference pattern, wavelength

    Homework Statement Suppose the interference pattern shown in the figure is produced by monochromatic light passing through two slits, with a separation of 127 µm, and onto a screen 1.14 m away. What is the wavelength? Homework Equations wavelength = (dsin\theta) / m y=Ltan\theta...
  44. B

    Interference Pattern w/ D ~ d: Qualitative Analysis

    A simplifying assumption in determining the interference pattern from a double-slit experiment is to assume that the screen distance, D, is much larger than the slit separation, d. This allows us to make the approximation that the two optical rays are parallel as they travel to the common...
  45. K

    Why there is interference pattern?

    I am reading something about electromagnetic wave. There is a semi-infinite medium with refractive index n>1 on z>0 region. For z<0 region, it is medium with refractive index n=1. Two EM waves starting to propogate at the origin of xy plane with same wavenumber but different direction. Both of...
  46. N

    How Is the Two-Slit Interference Pattern Formed and Analyzed?

    http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/3341/img186je6.th.jpg Above is an image scanned in from my textbook of an interefernce pattern from two slits. Am I correct in thinking that the distance between the maxima within the main envelope is found via λ = ws/D , where w = this distance...
  47. G

    Interference pattern given many which-path detectors?

    From: http://www.bottomlayer.com/bottom/basic_delayed_choice.htm I refer to the above picture of the double slit experiment. I wonder what you would get if you added a third detector 5C in between 5R and 5L? Presumably you would get zero detects, because when you check the which-path, the...
  48. C

    Destroying interference pattern of classical waves

    In a two slit interference experiment, if you measure through which slit the particles move, you'll destroy the interference pattern. You can also do this in the classical regime, but usually this has a trivial classical interpretation. E.g. you could give the polarization of photons depend on...
  49. D

    Standing wave interference pattern problem

    In a standing wave interference pattern, what distance constitutes a wavelength? For complete destructive interference, what must be true of the wavelengths and amplitudes of the 2 waves? Thx
  50. M

    Interference pattern from a streetlight ?

    If I use a narrow slit (e.g. two fingers) to view a distant streetlight, I can see an interference pattern parallel to the slit. Doesn't this mean that the photons passing through the slit must be phase coherent? If I am correct about coherence, then how does it occur? The photons leaving the...
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