Two point-source interference: a study of the formation of concentric circular fringes

Abstract

In this short paper, the hyperbola-based analysis of wave interference recently developed by Thomas is employed to study the pattern of concentric circular fringes captured on a distant screen, when its plane is oriented orthogonal to the line joining two coherent point-sources. Newton’s rings are another instance of concentric circular fringes, generated with an extended source and a plano-convex lens-glass plate combination. The underlying geometry of the latter scenario, as described in the literature, allows for the estimation of two important physical parameters viz. the wavelength of light and the refractive index of a liquid medium. It is demonstrated here that the geometrical arrangement of the former scenario can in principle, be utilized to reach the same ends as well. Additionally, the hallmark distinguishing features of both types of circular fringe patterns are qualitatively and quantitatively elucidated.