We describe a simple experiment on the diffraction of monochromatic light by interfering liquid surface waves. The surface wave profile, which acts as a reflection phase grating for incident light, is generated by electrically driven vertical oscillations of two or more slightly immersed exciters. The theoretical intensity of the diffracted light agrees well with observations. In particular, we show the relation between the intensity and the amplitude (height) of the surface wave. Although invisible to the naked eye, the interference of liquid surface waves can be optically detected from the characteristic features of the diffraction pattern. In addition, we can measure the amplitude, wavelength, and phase velocity of the surface wave that propagates along the line joining the exciters.
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August 2005
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August 01 2005
A simple experiment on diffraction of light by interfering liquid surface waves
Tarun Kr. Barik;
Tarun Kr. Barik
Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur 721 302, WB, India
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Anushree Roy;
Anushree Roy
Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur 721 302, WB, India
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Sayan Kar
Sayan Kar
Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur 721 302, WB, India
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Tarun Kr. Barik
Anushree Roy
Sayan Kar
Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur 721 302, WB, India
Am. J. Phys. 73, 725–729 (2005)
Article history
Received:
September 30 2004
Accepted:
January 24 2005
Citation
Tarun Kr. Barik, Anushree Roy, Sayan Kar; A simple experiment on diffraction of light by interfering liquid surface waves. Am. J. Phys. 1 August 2005; 73 (8): 725–729. https://doi.org/10.1119/1.1870032
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