Young and Fresnel without sodium lamp

Sebastián Jarabo


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Base Information

Volume

V48 - N3 / 2015 Ordinario

Reference

243-247

DOI

http://dx.doi.org/10.7149/OPA.48.3.243

Language

Spanish / Español

Keywords

Interferences, double-slit, RGB filters

Abstract

The well-known experiment of Young about interferences by means of a Fresnel biprism to obtain the double-slit is usually made using quasi-monochromatic sources: a sodium spectral lamp, a laser, etc. Besides, a monochromatic source is also assumed in order to develop the theoretical explanation of the experiment. Then, some experimental details are lost, as the dependence of the fringe-to-fringe spacing on the wavelength. Moreover, a much more dangerous negative effect is originated, since some students come to the following false conclusion: interference phenomena only are originated by monochromatic sources. In this paper, an easy modification of this experiment is shown. Thus, by employing a white source and RGB filters, it is possible to observe interference fringes with polychromatic light and verify that its period raises with the wavelength.

References

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