Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar

BS 192: Undergraduate Science Laboratory, Spring 2024.

P4: FRESNAL’S BIPRISM

Contributing Authors:
Eete Anil Kumar (23110108)
Ginisha Garg (23110117)
Hanamanthagouda Policepatil (23110126)
Hiteshi Meisheri (23110135)
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction 2
● Aim
● Theory

Experimental Procedure 3
● Apparatus
● Methodology

Calculations and Measurements 5

● Calculations
● Error Analysis

Results and Discussion 8

● Graphs

Conclusion 9

Author Contributions 9
● Lab readings

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INTRODUCTION

AIM:

In this experiment, the wavelength of Sodium Light was determined through the Fresnel
Biprism method by analyzing fringe pattern data, including the count of fringes and the
distance between successive dark and bright fringes.

(Figure 1) FRESNEL’S BIPRISM

THEORY:

Fresnel's biprism experiment is a method to study how light waves interfere with each other. It's
based on the idea that light behaves like a wave, and when waves with the same frequency
and size overlap, they create patterns. In this experiment, we use a biprism to look at the
pattern made by monochromatic light, which comes from a sodium lamp. The biprism, made of
two prisms with small angles, is set up with the prisms base to base.

We pass light through a narrow slit adjusted to be parallel to the biprism's edge. The edge splits
the incoming monochromatic light into two parts, creating two virtual sources, S1 and S2. These

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virtual sources act like coordinated emitters, producing a pattern of light and dark fringes due
to constructive and destructive interference, which can be observed through an eyepiece.

The experiment demonstrates two distinct interference patterns: one with constructive
interference, where waves combine to form bright fringes, and another with destructive
interference, where waves oppose one another to form dark fringes. This observation enhances
our understanding of the wave-like nature of light and the complex interactions that lead to the
formation of distinct and well-defined patterns.

EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE

APPARATUS USED:

● Sodium lamp
● Optical bench
● Uprights
● Slit
● Fresnel Biprism
● Convex lens,
● Micrometer eyepiece.

IMAGE 1: Fresnel biprism experimental setup.

METHODOLOGY:

In this experimental procedure, the goal is to set up and observe interference fringes using
biprism. The procedure outlines the steps to achieve the correct alignment for optimal results.
Let me summarise the steps in simpler terms:

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Initial Setup:

Bring all upright components close and adjust their heights so that the centers of the slit,
biprism, lens holders, and eyepiece are at the same height.

Ensure the planes of these components are nearly perpendicular to the bench axis.

Mounting the Biprism:

Mount the biprism on its holder with its plane facing the slit. Position the biprism so that its
refracting edge is at the center of the circular aperture. Adjust the upright holding the biprism
to be about 10 cm from the slit. Align the edge of the biprism with the slit and make it nearly
vertical. Lock its position.

Preliminary Observation:

Without the eyepiece, look through the aperture towards the biprism with the naked eye. You
should see two virtual images of the slit. Adjust if needed.

Observing Fringes:

Replace the eyepiece and observe alternate dark and bright fringes on the screen. Adjust the
slit width to 'just open' condition if necessary.

If fringes are not visible, move the biprism laterally using the side knob on the upright.

Fine-tune the sharpness and contrast of the fringes by rotating the biprism slightly using the
tangent screw.

Adjustments for Alignment:

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Move the eyepiece towards the biprism. If fringes move laterally with respect to the vertical
crosswire, adjust the biprism's lateral position using the base knob.

Ensure that the refracting edge of the biprism is along the bench axis to avoid lateral shifts in
the fringe pattern.

Final Adjustments:

Adjust the distance between the slit and the biprism (within 5-15 cm) to get a reasonable
number of fringes with appreciable width.

Caution:

Be cautious during adjustments to avoid losing the fringe pattern from the field of view.

In summary, these steps guide the experimenter through the setup and alignment of
components to observe interference fringes accurately.

CALCULATIONS AND MEASUREMENTS

POSITIONS:

1. Slit: 13mm
2. Eyepiece: 1037mm
3. Convex Lens (Magnified Image): 305mm
4. Convex Lens (Diminished Image): 758mm

READINGS:

Fringe No. MSR CSR Reading |Δx| |Δx|/5

x0 14 18 14.18 - -

x5 12.5 35 12.85 1.33 0.27

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 x10 11.5 04 11.54 1.31 0.26

x15 10 19 10.19 1.35 0.27

x20 8.5 44 8.94 1.25 0.25

x25 7.5 13 7.63 1.31 0.26

x30 6 36 6.36 1.27 0.25

Table 1: Readings of the width of alternate fringes without the convex lens (all units are mm)

Reading No. MSR CSR Reading Average Value

P1 1 10.5 42 10.92 10.97

2 11 01 11.01

P1’ 1 17 15 17.15 17.14

2 17 13 17.13

Table 2: Readings of the width of magnified fringe through the convex lens (all units are mm)

Reading No. MSR CSR Reading Average Value

P2 1 10.5 11 10.61 10.65

2 10.5 19 10.69

P2’ 1 11.5 05 11.55 11.61

2 11.5 18 11.68

Table 3: Readings of the width of diminished fringe through the convex lens (all units are mm)

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CALCULATIONS:

ERROR ANALYSIS:

Complete Matlab Code for Error

Analysis: URL

Screenshot of Matlab Code for Error Analysis

Thus,

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RESULTS AND DISCUSSION:
After rigorous calculation, we came up with the wavelength of the sodium vapor lamp to be:

GRAPHS:

Table 2: Slopes from Graph 1 (Matlab Code)

POSSIBLE REASONS FOR ERRORS:

1. Misalignment of the lens, eyepiece and slit in the horizontal and vertical planes. Despite
our strongest efforts, we could not be assured that the positions were perfectly colinear
since there was no specialised equipment to verify the same.
2. Interference of light from other sources, although we were in a dark room, could alter the
fringe width visible to us.
3. Minute faults in the equipment, like the loose angle of the eyepiece, also hindered the
accuracy of our experiment.

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CONCLUSION:
Our experiment and calculations lead to findings that suggest that the wavelength of the Sodium
Vapour Lamp Light is 617 nm, which is close to the actual value of 589 nm. The deviation in real
values is 4.7%. This number also closely resembles our calculated error of 4.9%, which is
significantly down from our last experiment.

We also learned how precision and accuracy matter for the final results and how the error can
propagate. It leads us to conclude that the published number, 589 nm, is valid and holds the true
values; we also get to know the wave nature of light more deeply, which has increased our
passion for research on optics.

AUTHOR CONTRIBUTION:
1. Anilkumar: Experimental Procedure
2. Ginisha: Introduction, Theory. (Lab Contribution: Noting down the readings)
3. Hanamanthagouda: Conclusion, Author contributions, and Formatting of the report.
(Lab Contribution: Taking readings)
4. Hiteshi – Matlab code, Calculations, Measurements, and Error analysis of the report.
(Lab Contribution: Setting up and arrangement of the equipment)

S.No Roll Number Name Signature

1. 23110108 Eete Anilkumar

2. 23110116 Ginisha Garg

3. 23110126 Hanamanthagouda

4. 23110135 Hiteshi Meisheri

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MEDIA SOURCES:

Image 1:
https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https://www.spectrum-scientifics.com/v/vspfiles/photos
/6189-2.jpg&tbnid=tbJCLsj_PmsACM&vet=1&imgrefurl=https://www.spectrum-scientifics.com/Pr
ecision-Fresnel-Biprism-Interference-Apparatus-p/6189.htm&docid=9dLX3R19QqZ81M&w=500
&h=204&source=sh/x/im/m1/1

LAB READINGS EVIDENCE:

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