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Newton's Rings

Thin film interference between a curved lens and flat glass

Controls

Ring radius rm:
Film thickness t:
Visible rings:

The air gap t between the lens and glass varies as t = r²/2R. Reflected rays from top and bottom surfaces interfere constructively when 2nt = mλ (with a π phase shift at the lower surface giving the dark centre).

Ring radii: rm = √(mλR/n)