FRESNEL FRINGE Meaning and
Definition
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Fresnel fringe refers to the pattern of alternating bright and dark fringes that arises due to the interference of light waves in certain optical systems. Specifically, it occurs at the edge or boundary between two materials or mediums with different refractive indices. The phenomenon is named after the French physicist Augustin-Jean Fresnel, who made significant contributions to the understanding of light and optics.
When a beam of light passes through a thin wedge-shaped air gap between two media, such as a glass plate, the waves from different points within the beam will experience different path lengths due to the varying thickness of the wedge. As a result, light waves undergo interference, leading to the formation of fringes. These fringes appear as narrow bands of alternating bright and dark regions perpendicular to the wedge boundary.
The spacing between these fringes is directly influenced by the wedge angle, wavelength of light, and the refractive index difference between the two mediums. The fringe pattern can be observed using various techniques, such as illuminating the system with monochromatic light and observing it with a microscope.
Fresnel fringes find applications in various scientific disciplines, including interferometry, metrology, and optical testing. They provide valuable information about the optical properties of materials and can be used to determine parameters such as refractive index variations, surface flatness, or the presence of defects in optical components.
Common Misspellings for FRESNEL FRINGE
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Etymology of FRESNEL FRINGE
The term "Fresnel fringe" is named after the French physicist Augustin-Jean Fresnel, who made significant contributions to the understanding of light and optics. Fresnel is primarily known for his work on the theory of diffraction and his development of the Fresnel lens, which revolutionized lighthouse optics.
The word "fringe" in "Fresnel fringe" refers to the interference fringe patterns that appear when light waves interact or diffract around an obstacle or through a narrow aperture. These patterns were first studied and described by Thomas Young in the early 19th century, but Fresnel further explored and advanced the understanding of these phenomena.
Overall, the term "Fresnel fringe" combines Fresnel's name with the concept of interference fringes, acknowledging his significant contributions to the understanding of light and optics.
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