Diffraction

Ripple tank for single slit diffraction

Single slit diffraction pattern
Single Slit Diffraction
Single slit of varying width
Single slit

Double slit
Diffraction grating- many slits
Double slit- Diffraction formula derivation
For the first order maximum

• Sinϴ = opposite / hypotenuse d

• Sinϴ = λ / QP

This occurs whenever it’s a multiple of λ so insert n

for simplicity

• Sinϴ = nλ / QP

• d Sinϴ = nλ
 d Sinϴ = nλ

λ D
d
w

w = λD
d
Effect of
slit widths
 Diffraction grating - many slits

The width of all slits is 50 micrometers and the spacing between all slits is 150
micrometers. The location of the maxima for two slits is also the location of the
maxima for multiple slits. The single slit pattern acts as an envelope for the
multiple slit patterns
What would the interference pattern look like if we
used white light instead?
Combining the double and single slit patterns

w w w w
Monochromatic Interference

White light Interference

17
 Questions
• Derive the diffraction grating formula from
first principles.

• A light of wavelength 500nm is transmitted

through a grating with 3x105slits per metre.
What angle to the normal is the second order
maxima seen?
 Questions
• Derive the diffraction grating formula from
first principles.

• A light of wavelength 500nm is transmitted

through a grating with 3x105slits per metre.
What angle to the normal is the second order
maxima seen? 17.5degrees
Diffraction round an obstacle