Diffraction Patterns
Visualize diffraction patterns from single slits, double slits, and gratings. Adjust slit width, separation, and wavelength to see how the intensity pattern changes.
Diffraction Parameters
Properties
| Mode | Single Slit |
| Slit Width | 10 μm |
| Separation | 25 μm |
| Wavelength | 550 nm |
| Central Max | -- |
| 1st Min Angle | -- |
| Fringe Spacing | -- |
| Resolving Power | -- |
The Physics Behind It
Diffraction Formulas
- Single slit minima: a sinθ = mλ (m = ±1, ±2, …)
- Double slit maxima: d sinθ = mλ
- Single slit intensity: I = I₀(sinβ/β)²
- Multi-slit: I ∝ (sin(Nδ/2)/sin(δ/2))²
Key Concepts
- Diffraction is the bending and spreading of waves around obstacles and through openings
- Narrower slits produce wider diffraction patterns because smaller openings cause more spreading
- Gratings with many slits produce very sharp, well-defined maxima useful for spectroscopy
- Young's experiment (double slit) demonstrated the wave nature of light
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