UPSC Physics Optional PYQs (CSE & IFoS)PYQs

Explain the physical significance of resolving power of a grating with relevant mathematical expression.

A parallel beam of light from a He–Ne laser (\lambda=630 nm) is made to fall on a narrow slit of width 0.2\times10^{-3} m. The Fraunhofer diffraction pattern is observed on a screen placed in the focal plane of a convex lens of focal length 0.3 m. Calculate the distance between the

(i) first two minima and

(ii) first two maxima on the screen.

Explain why information carrying capacity of an optical fibre can be enhanced by reducing the pulse dispersion. How does one minimize pulse dispersion using a graded index optical fibre?

The displacement associated with a three-dimensional plane wave is given by \Psi(x,y,z,t) = a\cos\left[\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}kx + \frac{1}{2}ky - \omega t\right]. Calculate the angles made by the propagating wave with the x, y and z-axes.

In a tungsten filament lamp, thermionic emission takes place at 1.2\times10^3\ \mathrm{K}. Calculate the ratio of spontaneous emission to stimulated emission for non-degenerate energy levels. Interpret your result physically. Take \lambda=550\ \mathrm{nm}, k_B=1.38\times10^{-2}\ \mathrm{J\,K^{-1}}, h=6.67\times10^{-34}\ \mathrm{J\,s} and c=3\times10^8\ \mathrm{m\,s^{-1}}.

The dispersion relation for deep water waves is given by \omega^2 = gk + ak^3 where g and a are constants. Obtain expressions for phase velocity and group velocity in terms of the wavelength \lambda. \omega and k represent the angular frequency and wave number, respectively.

A pulse of \lambda_0=600\,\mathrm{nm} and \Delta\lambda=10\,\mathrm{nm} propagates through a fibre which has a material dispersion coefficient of 50\,\mathrm{ps} per km per nm at 600\,\mathrm{nm}. Calculate the pulse broadening in traversing a 10\,\mathrm{km} length of the fibre. If the pulse width at the input of the fibre is 12\,\mathrm{ns}, what will be the pulse width at the output of the fibre?

Distinguish between Fresnel and Fraunhofer classes of diffraction. Show that the area of each Fresnel half-period zone is same.

Use matrix method to obtain an expression for the focal length of a coaxial combination of two thin lenses having focal lengths f_1 and f_2 separated by distance d.

Calculate the minimum thickness of a quartz plate which would behave as a quarter-wave plate for wavelength of light, \lambda=6000\,\mathring{\mathrm{A}}. The refractive indices for ordinary and extraordinary rays are \mu_o=1.544 and \mu_e=1.553.

The motion of a damped mechanical oscillator is represented by m\ddot{x}+\alpha\dot{x}+\beta x=0 where m, \alpha and \beta are constants. The oscillator is critically damped. The system is given an impulse at x=0 and t=0, resulting in an initial velocity v. After how much time the system experiences maximum displacement?

Show that a travelling wave on the string, clamped on both the ends, undergoes a phase change of \pi. Hence obtain the time-independent form of the wave equation representing a standing wave on the string.

Derive an expression for intermodal dispersion for a multimodal step-index fibre.

The separation between the slits is 0.5\,\text{mm} in Young's double-slit experiment. The interference pattern observed on a screen placed 5\,\text{m} away reveals the location of the first maximum which is 6\,\text{mm} from the centre of the pattern. Calculate the wavelength of light and separation between second and third bright fringes.

A diffraction grating of width 5 cm with slits of width 10^{-4} cm separated by a distance of 2\times10^{-4} cm is illuminated by light of wavelength 550 nm. What will be the width of the principal maximum in the diffraction pattern? Would there be any missing orders?

When a thin film of a transparent material is put behind one of the slits in Young's double-slit interference experiment, the zero-order fringe moves to the position previously occupied by the fourth-order bright fringe. The index of refraction of the film is n=1.2 and the wavelength of light, \lambda=5000\,\mathring{\mathrm{A}}. Determine the thickness of the film.

The Fraunhofer single-slit diffraction intensity is given by I=I_0\frac{\sin^2 x}{x^2} where x=\frac{\pi d y}{\lambda l}, with l as the distance from slit to source, d the slit width, y the detector distance and \lambda the wavelength. What is the value of cumulative intensity \int_{-\infty}^{\infty} I(y)\,dy?

A plane wave has the following expression for its electric field: \vec{E}=\hat{x}E_{0x}\cos(\omega t-kz+\alpha)+\hat{y}E_{0y}\cos(\omega t-kz+\beta) If the phase difference is defined as \delta=\beta-\alpha, under what conditions do we achieve elliptic polarization? What are the conditions for circular polarization?

For calcite, the refractive indices of ordinary and extraordinary rays are 1.65836 and 1.48641 at \lambda_0=5893\,\mathring{\mathrm{A}} respectively. A left circularly polarized beam of this wavelength is incident normally on such crystal of thickness 0.005141\,\mathrm{mm} having its optic axis cut parallel to the surface. What will be the state of polarization of the emergent beam?

Bring out the essential differences between the physical principles of spontaneous and stimulated emission of radiation. Why is it difficult to get efficient lasing action in case of an ideal two-level material system? Can you propose a scheme to enhance efficiency? Discuss.