[Physics] Filling with water the space between Young’s double slits and the screen

double-slit-experimentelectromagnetic-radiationoptics

Suppose while performing double-slit experiment,
the space between the slits and the screen is filled with
water. How does the interference pattern change?

The above is one of the questions which was asked in our Engineering Physics class.

My logic was, due to the fact that refraction will take place, the waves will lean closer to the normal, but I am unable to decide what kind of effect this change of medium will have on the wavefront which we typically use to depict Young's double-slit experiment.

I can only conclude that the distance between the fringes will end up reducing. Although, I'd appreciate it if someone with a more in-depth understanding of optics would answer it.

Best Answer

When the light waves pass through water, it's wavelength becomes $\frac{\lambda}{\mu}$. Due to this, the condition for formation of maxima becomes $$y = n\frac{D\lambda}{\mu d}=\frac{y_0}{\mu}$$ Where $y_0$ is the position of the maxima without any water. So what effectively happens is that the fringes will move closer to the central maximum (since $\mu>1$)