Concept understanding — Superposition and Interference of Light
Interference is the redistribution of light intensity that results when two light waves overlap (are superposed) at a point, producing bright regions (increased intensity) at some points and dark regions (decreased intensity) at others, in a way that a single wave alone never would. If two waves of the same frequency and amplitudes a1,a2 arrive at a point with a constant phase difference ϕ between them, y1=a1sinωt and y2=a2sin(ωt+ϕ), their resultant is y=Asin(ωt+θ) with resultant amplitude A2=a12+a22+2a1a2cosϕ; since intensity I∝A2, the resultant intensity is I∝I1+I2+2I1I2cosϕ. Constructive interference (maximum brightness) occurs when ϕ=0,±2π,±4π,…, giving Imax∝(a1+a2)2∝I1+I2+2I1I2; destructive interference (minimum brightness, possibly complete darkness) occurs when ϕ=±π,±3π,…, giving Imin∝(a1−a2)2∝I1+I2−2I1I2. For the special case of equal amplitudes (a1=a2=a, I1=I2=I0), this simplifies …