MadSci Network: Physics |
Optical set-ups, like Young's slits, the Fresnel bi-prism and Lloyd's mirror, all create interference by redirecting two parts of a coherent wavefront so that they later overlap. These are therefore examples of "division of wavefront". In quantum mechanical terms, any given photon has to be considered to take both paths from source to detector (providing there is no physical information that one of the paths actually was taken), and the interference pattern reflects the probability that each photon will arrive at a particular spot. A whole different class of interference configurations make use of partial reflection (or refraction). In optics this would typically use a beam-splitter, like an air-glass surface (often partially silvered), where some proportion of incident photons are transmitted across the boundary, and the rest reflected. Again, if the resultant beams are redirected to overlap with each other, then interference is produced. These are examples of "division of amplitude", so named because the amplitude of transmitted and reflected beams is reduced (and they don't take light from different parts of the wavefront). Other kinds of waves can also be partially reflected in the same way: one only has to think of a sound wave hitting a wall, where there is both an echo of the sound off the wall, but also someone on the other side hears the sound because part of the energy travels through.
Try the links in the MadSci Library for more information on Physics.