Derivation of the Diffraction Grating Equation i / R incident wave fronts _| Q| ee! rep Pp PS Troms rs Second order wavefront Zero order ‘wavefront First order wavefronts The diagram on the left shows a section of a diffraction grating, Each slit diffracts the light waves that pass through it. The superposition of the wavefronts can lead to constructive interference, where wavefronts are reinforced, or destructive interference, where wavefronts cancel each other out. This can be demonstrated by the second diagram, which shows an example of some of the different order wavefronts, The order of the wavefronts corresponds to the order of the principal maxima. Draw first order wavefronts onto the first diagram (in the plane shown in the second diagram). Ton® order fringe Using a trigonometric function, find 6 in terms of QY and QP. The diagram to the left shows a close up of two slits, P and Q, The separation of the slits is given by d, the wavelength of the light is given by A, and the angle of diffraction of the beam is given by 8. For the nth order fringe, the wavefront emitted from P at time t reinforces a wavefront emitted n cycles earlier from the adjacent slit Q. Therefore, now, at time t, what will be the distance from slit of the original wavefront emitted from Q? This distance is equal to QY. Insert for QY and QP such that you derive an equation for sin @ in terms of d, n and A Rearrange to make the subject d sin 8, this is the diffraction grating equation!What is the largest possible angle for 6? By using this maximum angle, find an equation for the maximum number of orders, Anse Relate the number of sits per meter, N, to the spacing of the slits, d. Therefore for a given order and wavelength, as the distance between the slits decreases, what happens to the angle of diffraction? How does this relate to the number of slits per meter? How else can you alter the angle of diffraction? N.B. fractions of a degree are expressed as decimals or minutes (’), such that 1" = 60” Single slit diffraction ‘envelope 2slits 3 slits 6 slits 10 slits