University of Engineering Technology

Sawa
Department of Medical Physics
Private And Radiotherapy
University Atomic Physics Laboratory

Experiment (4)

Measurement of the Rydberg Constant via Laser Diffraction in

an Ultrasonic Phase Grating

1. Objective: The objective of this experiment is to measure the Rydberg

constant by analyzing laser diffraction patterns generated by an ultrasonic
phase grating.

2. Apparatus:

1. Diode laser
2. Ultrasonic transducer (to create the phase grating)
3. Measuring tape or digital caliper (to measure distances between diffraction
maxima)
4. Function Generator (Provides AC current)
5. Screen to detect the diffraction pattern.
6. Liquid container (Filled with distilled water).

Fig. (1) Ultrasonic Phase Grating Apparatus

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Atomic Physics Lab 4th Experiment

3. Theory:

In this experiment, we utilize a laser to interact with an ultrasonic phase grating

to observe diffraction patterns, which are later used to calculate the Rydberg
constant. The main concepts involved are diffraction, interference, and the energy
transitions of hydrogen-like atoms.

3.1 Laser Diffraction Through a Grating

Diffraction occurs when waves encounter an obstacle or a slit that is comparable

in size to their wavelength. In the case of light, a grating consists of a series of
slits or phase shifts that modulate the light wave. When a laser beam
(monochromatic and coherent light source) passes through such a grating, it
produces a pattern of bright and dark spots known as the diffraction pattern. The
angle at which these bright spots occur is governed by the grating equation:

d sin  = m

Where:

• d is the distance between adjacent slits (grating spacing),

• θ is the diffraction angle,
• m is the diffraction order (an integer m=1, 2, 3….),
• λ is the wavelength of the laser,

Fig. (2) Diffraction grating process.

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Atomic Physics Lab 4th Experiment

Fig. (4) Diffraction grating interference pattern.

3.2 Ultrasonic Phase Grating

An ultrasonic phase grating is produced by passing sound waves through a

transparent medium (often a liquid). These sound waves create periodic
compressions and rarefactions in the medium, which act like a diffraction grating
for light. The density variations in the medium introduce periodic changes in the
refractive index, modulating the phase of the light as it passes through.

• When a laser beam interacts with this phase grating, the alternating regions
of higher and lower density cause the light to diffract. As the laser light
passes through regions of compression (higher refractive index), the light
slows down slightly, causing a phase shift.
• As it passes through regions of rarefaction (lower refractive index), the
light speeds up, creating a different phase shift.

These alternating phase shifts across the wavefront of the light beam leads to
constructive and destructive interference The result is a diffraction pattern of
bright and dark spots on a screen.

The grating spacing d in this case is determined by the wavelength of the

ultrasonic wave, which depends on the frequency of the sound f and the speed of
sound v in the medium:

v
d=
f

Where:

• d is the distance between adjacent slits (grating spacing),

• v is the velocity of sound waves in water =1500 m/s,
• f is the frequency of soundwaves,

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Atomic Physics Lab 4th Experiment

In this experiment, the laser wavelength and the diffraction pattern provide the
information needed to determine the Rydberg constant by linking the physical
setup (the ultrasonic grating) to the properties of the hydrogen atom’s spectral
lines.

4. Procedure:

1. Setup:
o Align the diode laser so that the beam passes through the ultrasonic
phase grating produced by the transducer.
o Ensure the transducer is properly connected to the function generator
and oscillating at a known frequency.
o Place the detector screen at a known distance from the grating and
record it as L.
2. Record Diffraction Patterns:
o For each ultrasonic frequency, measure the distance from the 1st
order maxima to the 0 order maxima and record it as x.
o For small angles (when θ is small), we can use the small angle
approximation: sinθ≈tanθ=x/L, where x is the distance between the
central maximum and the 1st diffraction maxima on the screen, and
L is the distance from the grating to the screen.
st
o Since we taking the 1 order maxima only then m=1.
x
o Use the formula for diffraction d = m to calculate the
L
wavelength λ of the laser.
3. Adjust Ultrasonic Frequency:
o Vary the frequency of the ultrasonic transducer and observe the
changes in the diffraction pattern and calculate the wavelength
again.
4. Data collection:

L= 1m, is the distance between the ultrasonic grating and the screen.

m= 1, is the diffraction order.

v=1500m/s, is the velocity of soundwaves in water.

Set f (MHz) x (mm) d (m)

1 10 8.3 1.5 10−4
2
3

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Atomic Physics Lab 4th Experiment

5. Calculation of the Rydberg Constant:

Using the known wavelength of the diode laser, calculate the Rydberg
constant using:

1 1 1
= RH ( − )
 n12 n22

Where,

• n1 is the quantum number for the final transition orbit =2.

• n2 is the quantum number for the initial transition orbit =3.

5. Energy Levels in Hydrogen Atom

In the hydrogen atom, the energy levels of electrons are quantized and described
by the principal quantum number n, where (n=1,2,3,…). When an electron
transitions from a higher energy level (n2) to a lower energy level (n1), the energy
difference between these levels is emitted as a photon. The energy of the photon
is related to the frequency or wavelength of the emitted radiation.

5.1 Electron Transition Series

The different electron transitions in the hydrogen atom are grouped into distinct
series, based on which lower energy level (n1) the electron falls to. These series
correspond to different regions of the electromagnetic spectrum:

1. Lyman Series (Ultraviolet Region)

• Lower energy level: n1=1.

• Higher energy levels: n2=2,3,4,…

In the Lyman series, an electron falls to the first energy level (n1=1) from any
higher energy level. The emitted photons are in the ultraviolet (UV) region of
the spectrum.

• Example transition: n2=2 to n1=1 emits UV light.

2. Balmer Series (Visible Light Region)

• Lower energy level: n1=2.

• Higher energy levels: n2=3,4,5,…

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Atomic Physics Lab 4th Experiment

In the Balmer series, the electron falls to the second energy level (n1=2) from
any higher level. The emitted photons are in the visible light spectrum,
making this series the most famous for producing visible light.

• Example transition: n2=3 to n1=2 emits red light (656.3 nm).

• The Balmer series includes four visible lines: red (H-alpha), blue-green (H-
beta), violet (H-gamma), and further violet (H-delta).

3. Paschen Series (Infrared Region)

• Lower energy level: n1=3.

• Higher energy levels: n2=4,5,6,…

In the Paschen series, the electron falls to the third energy level (n1=3) from
any higher level. The emitted photons are in the infrared (IR) region of the
spectrum, which is invisible to the naked eye but detectable by infrared sensors.

• Example transition: n2=4 to n1=3.

4. Other Series: Brackett, Pfund, and Humphreys

• Brackett series: Transitions to n1=4, photons are in the infrared region.

• Pfund series: Transitions to n1=5, photons are in the far infrared region.
• Humphrey's series: Transitions to n1=6, photons are also in the far infrared
region.

Fig (4). Hydrogen emission spectrum

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