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10. Wavelength of light using a diffraction grating

Aim: To determine the wavelength of the laser beam using diffraction grating.
Apparatus: A laser source, a stainless steel scale preferably graduated in millimeters, a
tilting stage/platform.
Theory:
A diffraction grating is an array of N parallel equidistant slits. When a beam of
monochromatic light of wavelength , is incident on a grating, an intensity pattern consisting
of a series of interference fringes results. The angular separation of these fringes is
determined by the ratio, /d, where d is the spacing between the centers of adjacent slits. The
relative intensities of these fringes are determined by the diffraction pattern of the single
grating slit, which depends on the ratio /a, where a is the slit width.

Figure 1: Diffraction at the grating

The laser beam is incident at grazing incidence on the scale. The diffraction pattern is
observed at a large distance from the scale. This is called Fraunhofer diffraction. The pattern
arises due to diffraction at the engravings of the scale, and is governed by the grating
equation,

d (sin i sin m ) m

(1)

Where d is the engravings separation, wavelength of light, i angle of incidence and m,

angle of diffraction for mth order. For m=0 the beam is specularly reflected. The grating
equation is expressed in terms of angles and as shown in the figure.
As

d (cos cos m ) m

(2)

Where, =(/2)-1 and m=(/2)- m . Angles and m are small. Therefore we write

cos m [1 (Ym / Z 0 ) ]

2 1/ 2

1 Ym 2
1
.............
2 Zm2

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cos cos 0 1

1 Y0 2
.............
2 Zo 2

Where Zo is the nominal distance between the point of incidence and screen, Ym is the
position of mth order diffraction spot and =o.
Therefore,

cos cos 0

Ym 2 Y0 2
2Z o 2

The wavelength of laser light is obtained from the equation,

d Ym 2 Yo 2
2Z o 2
m

The distances Ym are measured from the horizontal plane which is the plane on which scale
lies. For this purpose the position of the direct beam (in the absence of scale) is marked on
the screen, and the distances of various diffraction orders are measured from this position,
and later reduced to a position midway between the direct beam and specularly reflected
beam. These distances can be measured on the graph paper pasted on the screen. The distance
Zo can be measured with a meter scale or measuring tape.

Fig.2. Schematic of experimental arrangement and the diffraction spots.

Procedure:
The scale is placed on a tilting table and aligned so that the laser beam is incident at grazing
incidence. A well defined diffraction pattern should be observed on a screen. The tilting stage
is removed and direct position of beam is also marked on the screen. The data is presented in
the tabular form as;
d = __________ mm

Zo = ________________

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Observation
Positions
S. No.

Positions

Reduced
Positions

Ym2

Direct beam
1

m=0

y0

m=1

y1

Y1=y1-y0

m=2

y2

Y2=y2-y0

m=3

y3

Y3=y3-y0

Plot Ym2 versus m, and obtain its slope

Calculate

d
2Z 0 2

x (slope)

Note:
y0 is the position of the diffraction spot of the zeroth order.

PH 1030: B.Tech. Laboratory Manual

Department of Physics, IIT Madras