Question

If the amplitude ratio (E₂₀/E₁₀) of two interfering coherent waves producing an interference pattern is 0.5, what is the ratio of the minimum intensity to maximum intensity?

Answer 1

\(\cfrac{I_{min}}{I_{max}}\) = \(\left(\cfrac{1-r}{1+r}\right)^2\) = \(\left(\cfrac{1-0.5}{1+0.5}\right)^2\) = \(\cfrac{1/4}{9/4}\) = \(\cfrac19\).