Two light waves having the same wavelength $\lambda$ in vacuum are in phase initially. Then the first wave travels a path $L_{1}$ through a medium of refractive index $n_{1}$ while the second wave travels a path of length $L_{2}$ through a medium of refractive index $n_{2}$. After this the phase difference between the two waves is :
Correct Option: , 3
(3) The distance traversed by light in a medium of refractive index $\mu$ in time $t$ is given by
$d=v t$ ....(1)
where $v$ is velocity of light in the medium. The distance traversed by light in a vacuum in this time,
$\Delta=c t=c \times \frac{d}{v}$ [from equation (i)]
$=d \frac{c}{v}=\mu d$ ...(ii) $\quad\left(\because \mu=\frac{c}{v}\right)$
This distance is the equvalent distance in vacuum and is called optical path.
Optical path for first ray which travels a path $L_{1}$ through a medium of refractive index $n_{1}=n_{1} L_{1}$
Optical path for second ray which travels a path $L_{2}$ through a medium of refractive index $n_{2}=n_{2} L_{2}$
Path difference $=n_{1} L_{1}-n_{2} L_{2}$
Now, phase difference
$=\frac{2 \pi}{\lambda} \times$ path difference $=\frac{2 \pi}{\lambda} \times\left(n_{1} L_{1}-n_{2} L_{2}\right)$