Two coherent point sources S1 and S2 vibrating in phase emit light of wavelength λ. The separation between the sources is 2λ. Consider a line passing through S2 and perpendicular to the line S1S2. What is the smallest distance from S2 where a minimum of intensity occurs?
The following diagram describes the situation.

Here,
forms a right angled triangle.
The path difference is
{from Pythagoras theorem}
To have a minimum at O, the path difference should be
.
Therefore, ![]()
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Squaring both sides,
![]()
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Now, for n=0,
![]()
for n=1,

for n=2,

As negative values are not allowed, the minimum values is
.
Couldn't generate an explanation.
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