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 Diffraction of light
Diffraction of light:
The rhythmic variations in intensity and the bending of light
around the corners of an obstacle or the encroachment of
light into the region of geometrical shadow constitute a
class of phenomena known as the diffraction of light.
 Classification of diffraction
The phenomena of diffraction of light is divided into the
following two classes depending upon the position of source
and the place of observation with respect to the diffracting
obstacle.

1. Fresnel’s class of diffraction

2. Fraunhofer class of diffraction
 Fresnel’s class of diffraction

In this class of diffraction the source of light, or the screen

or both are usually at finite distance from the obstacle.
The diffraction patterns obtained under this class are very
faint; because in these the wavelets reaching any point of
the screen from different parts of the exposed wavefront
are all in different phases and produce only a feeble
resultant.
 Fraunhofer class of diffraction

In this class of diffraction the source and the screen are

effectively at infinite distance from the obstacle. The incident
light is diffracted in various directions and that diffracted in a
particular direction is focused on a screen by means of a
convex lens. The illumination at the screen is greater if the
phases of these parallel rays happen to agree.
 Diffraction grating
Diffraction grating:
A diffraction grating is an extremely useful device and in one of its forms
it consists of a very large number of narrow slits side by side. The slits
are separated by opaque spaces. When a wave front is incident on a
grating surface, light is transmitted through the slits and obstructed by
the opaque portions.

Types of grating:
1. Transmission grating
2. Reflection grating
 Diffraction grating
Transmission grating:
Gratings are prepared by ruling equidistant parallel lines
on a glass surface. The lines are drawn with a fine
diamond point. The space in between any two lines
transparent to light and the lined portion is opaque to
light. Such surfaces act as transmission gratings.
Reflection grating:
If, on the other hand, the lines are drawn on a silvered
surface then light is reflected from the positions of the
mirror in between any two lines and such surfaces act as
reflection gratings.
 Diffraction grating
Theory of plane transmission grating:
 Diffraction grating
Theory of plane transmission grating:
 Fraunhofer class of diffraction
Fraunhofer diffraction at a single slit:
A slit is a rectangular aperture, whose length is large compare to its
breadth. Let a parallel beam of monochromatic light of wave length λ
be incident normally upon a narrow slit of AB = a as shown in fig.

x
 Fraunhofer class of diffraction
The rays proceeding in the same direction as the incident
rays are focused at O; while those diffracted through an
angle θ are focused at P.
Fraunhofer class of diffraction
Fraunhofer class of diffraction
Fraunhofer class of diffraction
Fraunhofer class of diffraction

and O gives the central maximum

Fraunhofer class of diffraction
Fraunhofer class of diffraction
 Fraunhofer class of diffraction
Width of central maxima:
Fraunhofer class of diffraction
Fraunhofer class of diffraction
 Fraunhofer class of diffraction
Effect of slit width:
As sin θ = ± λ/a, If the slit width a is large, then
for a given wavelength of light sinθ is small and
hence θ is small.
This means that the maxima and minima be very
close to the central maximum.
If the slit width a is narrow, θ is large. Hence
diffraction maxima and minima are quite distinct
and clear.
 Fraunhofer class of diffraction
As, πa sinθ/λ = α , It is clear that ‘α’ depends on the
angle of diffraction θ and sin2α/ α2 gives the intensity at
different value of θ.

Figure Intensity distribution curve for Fraunhofer’s diffraction at

a single slit.
Interference
1. It is the result of superposition of
secondary waves starting from two
different wavefronts originating from
two coherent sources.
Diffraction
1. It is the result of superposition of
secondary waves starting from
different parts of the same
wavefronts.

2. All bright and dark fringes are of 2. The width of central bright fringe is
equal width. twice the width of any secondary
maxima.

3. All bright fringes are of same 3. Intensity of bright fringes

intensity. decreases as we move away from
central fringe on either side.

4. Regions of dark fringes are 4. Regions of dark fringes are not

perfectly dark. perfectly dark.
Thanks to all