Consolidated Question Bank - Optics and Laser Physics - 23BPH4C1

UNIT - I
PART A - 2 MARK QUESTIONS

1.What is Fermat's Principle of Least Time?
2.State any two postulates of geometrical optics.
3.Define the focal length and power of a lens.
4.What are cardinal points of a lens system?
5.What is spherical aberration in a lens?
6.State Rayleigh's criterion for resolution.
7.List two merits of an eyepiece over a simple lens.
8.What is the resolving power of a telescope?
9.Define chromatic aberration in a lens.
10.What is the critical thickness of a thick lens?
11.What is the principle of a constant deviation spectroscope?
12.What are the main differences between Huygens' and Ramsden's eyepieces?
13.Write the formula for the resolving power of a diffraction grating.
14.Define resolving power.
15.What is the curvature of field in lens aberrations?

PART B - 5 MARK QUESTIONS

1.Explain Fermat's Principle of Least Time and its significance in geometrical optics.
2.Derive the lens maker’s formula for a thick lens and explain the significance of cardinal points.
3.Discuss the causes and corrections for chromatic aberration in lenses.
4.Explain the dispersion and deviation of light through a prism.
5.Compare Huygens' and Ramsden's eyepieces.
6.State and explain Rayleigh’s criterion for resolution. Derive the expression for the resolving power of a telescope.
7.Describe construction and working the constant deviation spectroscope.
8.What are spherical aberration, coma, and astigmatism in lenses?
9.Describe the chromatic aberration in lenses
10.Define resolving power. Derive an expression for the resolving power of a diffraction grating.
11.Explain the concept of narrow-angled prisms and derive the relation for minimum deviation.

PART C - 10 MARK QUESTIONS

1.Describe the concept of critical thickness and derive expressions for the focal length and power of a thick lens.
2.What is a constant deviation spectroscope? Explain its construction, working, and applications in detail.
3.Derive the lens maker’s formula for a thick lens. Discuss the significance of focal length, power, and cardinal points in optical systems.
4.Explain the working principles of Huygens' and Ramsden's eyepieces. Compare their construction, merits, and demerits, highlighting their applications.
5.Derive the expression for the resolving power of (i) a prism, (ii) a grating, and (iii) a telescope.


UNIT - II
PART A - 2 MARK QUESTIONS

1.What is interference of light?
2.Explain constructive ‘consecutive interference’ and
‘destructive interference’.
3.State the principle behind Fresnel’s biprism experiment.
4.Explain the formation of colors in thin films.
5.What is an air wedge?
6.Define Newton’s rings and mention one application.
7.What causes the bright and dark fringes in Newton’s rings
8.Write the uses of Michelson’s interferometer.
9.What is the difference between division of wavefront and division of amplitude in interference?
10.Why do Newton’s rings have a circular shape?
11.What are the conditions for constructive and destructive interference in thin films?
12.State two practical applications of interference in thin films.


PART B - 5 MARK QUESTIONS

1.Describe the working principle of Fresnel’s biprism. How are interference fringes formed?
2.Explain the formation of interference patterns in thin films due to reflected and transmitted light.
3.What are Newton’s rings? Derive an expression for the radius of the ring in reflected light.
4.Explain the air wedge method and derive an expression for the thickness of a thin object placed between two glass plates.
5.Describe the construction and working of Michelson’s interferometer.
6.How can Michelson’s interferometer be used to determine the wavelength of a monochromatic light source? Explain in detail.
7.Describe how Michelson’s interferometer can be used to determine the difference in wavelengths of the D1and D2lines of sodium light.

PART C - 10 MARK QUESTIONS

1.Explain the principle, construction, and working of Fresnel’s biprism. Derive the expression for fringe width.
2.Derive the conditions for constructive and destructive interference in thin films. Explain the formation of colors in thin films with examples.
3.Discuss the air wedge method for determining the thickness of a thin wire. Derive the formula and explain the significance of the fringes observed.
4.Describe the Michelson interferometer in detail. Explain its construction, working, and applications for determining the wavelength of a monochromatic source and the thickness of a mica sheet.

UNIT - III
PART A - 2 MARK QUESTIONS

1.What are Fresnel’s assumptions?
2.What is a zone plate?
3.List two differences between a zone plate and a convex lens.
4.What is Fresnel diffraction?
5.What is Fraunhofer diffraction?
6.What is the width of the principal maxima in Fraunhofer diffraction at a single slit?
7.What is the difference between Fresnel and Fraunhofer diffraction?
8.Write the condition for the formation of principal maxima in a single slit Fraunhofer diffraction pattern.
9.Write the equation of positions of maxima in the diffraction pattern of a plane transmission grating in normal incidence.


PART B - 5 MARK QUESTIONS

1.State Fresnel’s assumptions and explain their significance in diffraction theory.
2.What is a zone plate? Describe its construction and principle of operation.
3.List the differences between a zone plate and a convex lens.
4.Describe the Fresnel diffraction at a straight edge.
5.Describe the diffraction pattern produced by a narrow slit under Fresnel diffraction
6.Derive an expression for the width of the principal maxima in Fraunhofer diffraction at a single slit.
8.Explain the working of a plane diffraction grating.

PART C - 10 MARK QUESTIONS

1.What is a zone plate? Derive an expression for its focal length and explain its action when a spherical wavefront is incident upon it. Compare its properties with those of a convex lens.
2.Discuss Fraunhofer diffraction at a single slit. Derive the expressions for the intensity distribution and the width of the principal maxima.
3.Describe Fresnel diffraction due to a narrow slit and derive the conditions for the formation of maxima and minima in the resulting diffraction pattern.
4.Explain the principle and working of a plane diffraction grating. Derive the condition for maxima and explain how it can be used to determine the wavelength of light.

UNIT - IV
PART A - 2 MARK QUESTIONS

1.What is optical activity?
2.What are optically active crystals? Give an example.
3.Define a polarizer and an analyzer.
4.What is double refraction?
5.What is the optic axis in a crystal?
6.What are polaroids? State one application.
7.What is a quarter wave plate?
8.What is a half wave plate?
9.What is circularly polarized light?
10.What is elliptically polarized light?
11.Define specific rotation / specific rotatory power.


PART B - 5 MARK QUESTIONS

1.Explain the concept of double refraction. Define optic axis and principal plane.
2.Give Huygens's explanation of Double refraction is
uniaxial crystals.
3. Explain the working of a quarter wave plate.
4.Explain the working of a half wave plate.
5.Give the mathematical treatment of Fresnel’s
theory of optical rotation.
6.What are polaroids? Explain their applications.

PART C - 10 MARK QUESTIONS

1.Discuss Fresnel’s explanation of circularly and elliptically polarized light. How can these types of light be detected experimentally?
2.Explain the construction, principle, and working of the Laurent half-shade polarimeter. Describe how it is used to determine the specific rotatory power of a substance.

UNIT - V
PART A - 2 MARK QUESTIONS

1.What are the general principles of lasers?
2.Define spontaneous emission.
3.What is stimulated emission?
4.Explain the concept of population inversion in lasers.
5.What is optical pumping ?
6.What is the principle of operation of a CO2 laser?
7.Explain the working principle of a semiconductor laser.
8.List any two applications of lasers.
9.What is holography?


PART B - 5 MARK QUESTIONS

1.Explain the general principles of laser action.Discuss the processes of spontaneous and stimulated emission and their role in laser operation.
2.Describe the concept of population inversion in lasers. How is population inversion achieved using optical pumping?
3.Explain the working principle of a He-Ne laser.Discuss its construction and the process of laser action in detail.
4. What is the working principle of a CO2 laser? Explain its applications in industry and medicine.
5.Describe the construction and working of a semiconductor laser. Discuss its advantages and applications.

PART C - 10 MARK QUESTIONS

1.Describe the principle, construction, and working of a He-Ne laser. Discuss the role of population inversion and optical pumping in achieving laser action in a He-Ne laser.
2.Explain the working principle of a CO laser. Describe its construction and applications in industry, medicine, and communication systems.