Sodium D-Line Splitting PDF
Sodium D-Line Splitting PDF
Sodium D-Line Splitting PDF
Apparatus: Spectrometer, prism, diffraction grating, sodium lamp with power supply.
Theory
The sodium spectrum is dominated by the bright
doublet known as the sodium D-lines at 589.0 and 589.6
nanometers as shown in Fig. 1. Using an appropriate
diffraction grating the wavelength separation of these two
lines can be determined. A schematic for diffraction of
sodium light (Na-D lines) with a plane transmission
grating is shown in Fig. 2. Figure 1: Sodium D-lines
Diffraction Grating:
An arrangement consisting of a large number of parallel slits of the same width and
separated by equal opaque spaces is known as diffraction grating. It is usually made by
ruling equidistant, extremely close tine grooves with a diamond point on an optically
plane glass plate. A photographic replica of a plate made in this way is often used as a
commercial transmission grating.
For N parallel slits, each with a width e, separated by an opaque space of width b.
the diffraction pattern consists of diffraction modulated interference fringes. The quantity
(e+b) is called the grating element and N (= 1/ (e+b)) is the number of slits per unit
length, which could typically be 300 to 12000 lines per inch. For a large number of slits,
the diffraction pattern consists of extremely sharp (practically narrow lines) principal
maxima, together with weak secondary maxima in between the principal maxima. The
various principal maxima are called orders.
For polychromatic incident light falling normally on a plane transmission grating the
Figure 2: Schematic for diffraction of sodium Na-D lines Figure 3: Actual experimental
set up
PROCEDURE :
1. Follow the support manual for spectrometer provided in the appendix for basic
adjustment of spectrometer. Determine the vernier constant of the spectrometer.
2. Now remove the prism from the turntable. The next step is to adjust the grating on
the turntable so that its lines are vertical, i.e. parallel to the axis of rotation or the
Observation
Number of lines on grating = -------- Grating element = ---------- Order, m=----
D2 θ2=.. λ2=..
Results:
1. Calculate λ1 and λ2 and the uncertainity of the result.
2. Calculate the difference λ2~ λ1 and compare with the literature value.
3. Calculate the angular dispersive power.
PRECAUTIONS:
1. Once the collimator and the telescope are adjusted for parallel rays, their focusing
should not be disturbed throughout the experiment.
2. Once the grating is properly adjusted on the turntable it should be locked.
3. While taking measurements at different positions of the telescope. It must always be
in locked condition.
4. While rotating the telescope arm if the vernier crosses over 0º (360º) on the circular
main scale take the angular difference appropriately.