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CD Diffraction
Physics 1051 Laboratory #6 Diffraction
Contents
Part I: Setup
Part I: Introduction
One of the goals in this lab is to use a diffraction grating to determine the
wavelength of a laser pointer.
m = d sin , m = 1, 2, 3, 4.....
where m is the order number, is the wavelength of light, d is the slit spacing of
the grating, and is the diffracted angle. This expression illustrates that
constructive interference occurs when the path difference is an integer number of
wavelengths.
Once the wavelength of the laser is known, it will be used to determine the groove
spacing of a Compact Disc.
Physics 1051 Laboratory #6 Diffraction
Apparatus
Laser pointer
Metre sticks
CD
Diffraction Grating of known slit spacing
Mounting assembly
Some sheets of white paper
Physics 1051 Laboratory #6 Diffraction
Look at the lights in the room through the grating. Can you explain their appearance
using the grating equation?
QUESTION 1: Explain the appearance of the room lights by considering the grating
equation.
Physics 1051 Laboratory #6 Diffraction
Make sure the screen and diffraction grating are parallel by measuring the screen
to grating distance on each side of the assembly.
Measure the distance between the diffraction grating and the screen
and record it along with the associated uncertainty in Table 1 of your Activity
Log.
Physics 1051 Laboratory #6 Diffraction
zeroth order
Note: You should be able to see at least 8 higher order spots on both
sides of the central spot.
Physics 1051 Laboratory #6 Diffraction
Calculations
Using your trigonometry skills, calculate the diffraction angles for all the
spots you have measured.
Using the grating equation, calculate the path difference for all the
angles you just obtained, and record the values in Table 3 of your Activity
Log.
Physics 1051 Laboratory #6 Diffraction
Graphical Analysis
Launch Graphical Analysis by clicking on the icon in the below.
Record the slope and intercept (and uncertainties) in Table 4 of your Activity Log.
QUESTION 2: Using the diffraction equation and the slope of your graph, calculate the
wavelength of your laser pointer. Be sure to include the uncertainty and units.
QUESTION 3: Compare your calculated wavelength with the value quoted on your laser pointer. If
they do not agree, explain why.
Physics 1051 Laboratory #6 Diffraction
To measure the distance between the grooves When you look at the side with
we will inspect the diffraction pattern from your the grooves in it you see a
laser of known wavelength using the rainbow spectrum. The rainbow
spectrum is from the reflection
diffraction equation. of white light that has been
diffracted.
CDs are reflective and therefore the diffraction
pattern can be observed by looking at the
reflected pattern.
Physics 1051 Laboratory #6 Diffraction
Place the screen in the slot in front of the laser pointer and carefully align it such
that the laser clearly passes through the hole in the screen and paper.
CD Setup Photos
Physics 1051 Laboratory #6 Diffraction
To ensure that there is normal incidence of the laser on the CD, carefully
move the CD until the central spot is reflect back onto the incident beam.
This step is tricky but very important. Take your time! You will have
to rotate, raise/lower and tip the CD until the pattern is lined up
properly. The interference pattern on the screen should be
horizontal.
Physics 1051 Laboratory #6 Diffraction
On Your Mark!
It is very important to ensure that the diffraction pattern you measure lies
along the horizontal line containing the hole punched in the screen. This
shows that the apparatus is correctly aligned.
Physics 1051 Laboratory #6 Diffraction
On Your Mark!
Measure the distance between the screen and the CD and record it 1st
along with the associated uncertainty in Table 5 of your Activity Log.
slot and measure the distance, D, TIFF (U n com pressed) decompr essor
a r e needed to see th is pictu r e.
Calculations
angles for all the spots you have measured.
L
x
Calculate the groove spacing, d, using the
diffraction equation and the information you
have just obtained for m=1 and m=2.
Wrap it up!
Check that you have completed all the Tables of your Activity Log.
Make sure that you have answered all the Questions completely,
Attached to your Activity Log should be your graph of path difference versus
order number m.