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Question #43200
The Question
A monochromatic light beam is incident at an angle on a semiconductor slab of thickness . At an initial temperature , the refractive index of the slab is and its optical band gap is . The refractive index and the band gap of the material are related by Moss's rule: . In the given temperature range, the band gap decreases linearly with temperature as , where . If the temperature of the slab is increased to , what is the approximate change in the lateral shift of the transmitted beam? (Assume the thermal expansion of the slab is negligible).
Options
- A.
- B.
- C.
- D.
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Correct Answer
Step-by-Step Solution
Explanation
How the Examiner Thinks
Multi-Concept_Bridge
Master problems that require linking physics and math concepts to solve complex competitive questions.
Concepts Behind This Question
Lateral Shift in Slab|Energy Band Gap Temperature Dependency|Snell's Law
Why This Question Is Tricky
Common Mistakes
This question tests the synthesis of solid-state physics (temperature dependence of the energy band gap) with classical optics (lateral shift).
The primary trap lies in treating the refractive index as a static constant or misapplying the small-angle approximation for lateral shift, which yields an incorrect derivative.
Students often fail to recognize that the lateral shift has a non-linear dependence on , requiring exact differentiation rather than simple algebraic substitution.
Furthermore, neglecting the power of 4 in Moss's rule () leads to an incorrect scaling factor for (Option B), testing their ability to correctly apply logarithmic differentiation to empirical solid-state relations.
Quick Facts About This Question
Question Information
| Subject | Physics |
| Chapter | Ray Optics and Optical Instruments - Class 12 |
| Concept | Lateral Shift in Slab |
| Difficulty | 8 |
| Cognitive Load | 7 |
| Target Solve Time | 160 sec |
| Access | Free |