Interactive Python animation demonstrating Newton's rings — an optical interference pattern produced by the reflection of light between a spherical surface and an adjacent flat surface. This project provides a live visualization so students and enthusiasts can explore how parameters (wavelength, lens curvature, index of refraction, gap) affect the ring pattern.
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- Real-time interactive animation of Newton’s rings.
- Adjustable parameters: wavelength, lens radius / curvature, refractive index, gap thickness, and illumination intensity.
- Toggle between monochromatic and broadband illumination.
- Export frames or save animation as MP4/GIF for presentations.
- Educational overlays: radius markers, fringe order, and approximate analytical fit.
Newton’s rings result from interference between light reflected from the lower surface of a thin air film and the upper surface of a spherical lens in contact with a flat plate. The constructive/destructive interference depends on the optical path difference, which in turn depends on the local air-gap thickness. This visualization maps intensity across the surface and demonstrates how changing physical parameters shifts fringe spacing and contrast.
- Python 3.8+
- NumPy
- Matplotlib
You can install required packages with:
pip install numpy matplotlib