Anti-Reflective Coating on Glasses: Is It Worth It? - ar coated lens

 2024-09-17 00:10:26

Diffraction grating patternvs double slit

Figure 20.10 Light from each slit travels an integer number of 's compared to the light from another slit. If is a wavelength (or an integer times a wavelength, = m) so that light from two adjacent slits interfere constructively, then light from all the slits interfere constructively! So far, this seems just to have repeated the results of the double slit experiment. The difference-the very useful difference-comes when we look at the details of the intensity pattern as sketched in Figure 20.11 which shows a graph of the intensity pattern for a double slit and for a diffraction grating. For a double slit, the intensity gradually falls from a maximum to a minimum of zero and then gradually increases again. But for a diffraction grating, the intensity drops off far more quickly. In effect, these maxima become sharp, distinct lines. To understand this, look back at Figure 20.10. Light from each slit travels a distance farther than light from its adjacent slit. Let = (1/10) for a moment. Then light from one slit, such as slit a, will be completely out of phase with light from another slit five slits away, slit f in this case, and these will destructively interfere. Light from each slit will undergo destructive interference with light from another slit, five slits away. With many slits, any angle other than those which provide constructive interference will have zero intensity due to this destructive interference. The bright lines from a diffraction grating will be very sharp. Figure 20.11 Maxima for a diffraction grating appear in the same place as maxima for the double slit but they are much sharper. The intensity drops off far more quickly. In effect, these maxima become sharp lines. Bright lines of constructive interference occur for = m. As the wavelength varies, so will the angle for which constructive interference occurs. If we have white light with a full range of wavelengths from = 400 nm for violet light to =700 nm for red light, each wavelength-or each color-will have constructive interference at a different angle. This means that when we look at a white light source-like the filament of a bulb-we will see each color at a different position. This produces a spectrum of colors much like what we saw when white light passed through a prism. This is illustrated in Figure 20.12. Figure 20.12 Light of different wavelengths (or colors) is diffracted through different angles after passing through a grating. Red and violet are shown in this figure; the other colors are spread out between these two extremes.

Figure 20.9 Light from each successive slit of a diffraction grating travels a distance farther than the light from its adjacent slit. Again, just as with the double slit, if this distance is exactly one wavelength-or two, or three or any integral number of wavelengths-waves from two adjacent slits will arrive in phase and constructive interference will occur. From Figure 20.10 you can also see that light from each slit travels an integral number of 's compared to the light from any other slit. If is a wavelength (or an integer times a wavelength, = m ) so that light from two adjacent slits interfere constructively, then light from all the slits interferes constructively and a bright area or maximum will be seen. Just as for the double slit, we find bright regions for = m (bright) where m is an integer (m = 0, 1, 2, ...). Figure 20.10 Light from each slit travels an integer number of 's compared to the light from another slit. If is a wavelength (or an integer times a wavelength, = m) so that light from two adjacent slits interfere constructively, then light from all the slits interfere constructively! So far, this seems just to have repeated the results of the double slit experiment. The difference-the very useful difference-comes when we look at the details of the intensity pattern as sketched in Figure 20.11 which shows a graph of the intensity pattern for a double slit and for a diffraction grating. For a double slit, the intensity gradually falls from a maximum to a minimum of zero and then gradually increases again. But for a diffraction grating, the intensity drops off far more quickly. In effect, these maxima become sharp, distinct lines. To understand this, look back at Figure 20.10. Light from each slit travels a distance farther than light from its adjacent slit. Let = (1/10) for a moment. Then light from one slit, such as slit a, will be completely out of phase with light from another slit five slits away, slit f in this case, and these will destructively interfere. Light from each slit will undergo destructive interference with light from another slit, five slits away. With many slits, any angle other than those which provide constructive interference will have zero intensity due to this destructive interference. The bright lines from a diffraction grating will be very sharp. Figure 20.11 Maxima for a diffraction grating appear in the same place as maxima for the double slit but they are much sharper. The intensity drops off far more quickly. In effect, these maxima become sharp lines. Bright lines of constructive interference occur for = m. As the wavelength varies, so will the angle for which constructive interference occurs. If we have white light with a full range of wavelengths from = 400 nm for violet light to =700 nm for red light, each wavelength-or each color-will have constructive interference at a different angle. This means that when we look at a white light source-like the filament of a bulb-we will see each color at a different position. This produces a spectrum of colors much like what we saw when white light passed through a prism. This is illustrated in Figure 20.12. Figure 20.12 Light of different wavelengths (or colors) is diffracted through different angles after passing through a grating. Red and violet are shown in this figure; the other colors are spread out between these two extremes.

Diffraction grating patternformula

So far, this seems just to have repeated the results of the double slit experiment. The difference-the very useful difference-comes when we look at the details of the intensity pattern as sketched in Figure 20.11 which shows a graph of the intensity pattern for a double slit and for a diffraction grating. For a double slit, the intensity gradually falls from a maximum to a minimum of zero and then gradually increases again. But for a diffraction grating, the intensity drops off far more quickly. In effect, these maxima become sharp, distinct lines. To understand this, look back at Figure 20.10. Light from each slit travels a distance farther than light from its adjacent slit. Let = (1/10) for a moment. Then light from one slit, such as slit a, will be completely out of phase with light from another slit five slits away, slit f in this case, and these will destructively interfere. Light from each slit will undergo destructive interference with light from another slit, five slits away. With many slits, any angle other than those which provide constructive interference will have zero intensity due to this destructive interference. The bright lines from a diffraction grating will be very sharp. Figure 20.11 Maxima for a diffraction grating appear in the same place as maxima for the double slit but they are much sharper. The intensity drops off far more quickly. In effect, these maxima become sharp lines. Bright lines of constructive interference occur for = m. As the wavelength varies, so will the angle for which constructive interference occurs. If we have white light with a full range of wavelengths from = 400 nm for violet light to =700 nm for red light, each wavelength-or each color-will have constructive interference at a different angle. This means that when we look at a white light source-like the filament of a bulb-we will see each color at a different position. This produces a spectrum of colors much like what we saw when white light passed through a prism. This is illustrated in Figure 20.12. Figure 20.12 Light of different wavelengths (or colors) is diffracted through different angles after passing through a grating. Red and violet are shown in this figure; the other colors are spread out between these two extremes.

Diffraction grating patternexample

Figure 20.12 Light of different wavelengths (or colors) is diffracted through different angles after passing through a grating. Red and violet are shown in this figure; the other colors are spread out between these two extremes.

Diffraction grating patternwhite light

Again, just as with the double slit, if this distance is exactly one wavelength-or two, or three or any integral number of wavelengths-waves from two adjacent slits will arrive in phase and constructive interference will occur. From Figure 20.10 you can also see that light from each slit travels an integral number of 's compared to the light from any other slit. If is a wavelength (or an integer times a wavelength, = m ) so that light from two adjacent slits interfere constructively, then light from all the slits interferes constructively and a bright area or maximum will be seen. Just as for the double slit, we find bright regions for = m (bright) where m is an integer (m = 0, 1, 2, ...). Figure 20.10 Light from each slit travels an integer number of 's compared to the light from another slit. If is a wavelength (or an integer times a wavelength, = m) so that light from two adjacent slits interfere constructively, then light from all the slits interfere constructively! So far, this seems just to have repeated the results of the double slit experiment. The difference-the very useful difference-comes when we look at the details of the intensity pattern as sketched in Figure 20.11 which shows a graph of the intensity pattern for a double slit and for a diffraction grating. For a double slit, the intensity gradually falls from a maximum to a minimum of zero and then gradually increases again. But for a diffraction grating, the intensity drops off far more quickly. In effect, these maxima become sharp, distinct lines. To understand this, look back at Figure 20.10. Light from each slit travels a distance farther than light from its adjacent slit. Let = (1/10) for a moment. Then light from one slit, such as slit a, will be completely out of phase with light from another slit five slits away, slit f in this case, and these will destructively interfere. Light from each slit will undergo destructive interference with light from another slit, five slits away. With many slits, any angle other than those which provide constructive interference will have zero intensity due to this destructive interference. The bright lines from a diffraction grating will be very sharp. Figure 20.11 Maxima for a diffraction grating appear in the same place as maxima for the double slit but they are much sharper. The intensity drops off far more quickly. In effect, these maxima become sharp lines. Bright lines of constructive interference occur for = m. As the wavelength varies, so will the angle for which constructive interference occurs. If we have white light with a full range of wavelengths from = 400 nm for violet light to =700 nm for red light, each wavelength-or each color-will have constructive interference at a different angle. This means that when we look at a white light source-like the filament of a bulb-we will see each color at a different position. This produces a spectrum of colors much like what we saw when white light passed through a prism. This is illustrated in Figure 20.12. Figure 20.12 Light of different wavelengths (or colors) is diffracted through different angles after passing through a grating. Red and violet are shown in this figure; the other colors are spread out between these two extremes.

Figure 20.11 Maxima for a diffraction grating appear in the same place as maxima for the double slit but they are much sharper. The intensity drops off far more quickly. In effect, these maxima become sharp lines. Bright lines of constructive interference occur for = m. As the wavelength varies, so will the angle for which constructive interference occurs. If we have white light with a full range of wavelengths from = 400 nm for violet light to =700 nm for red light, each wavelength-or each color-will have constructive interference at a different angle. This means that when we look at a white light source-like the filament of a bulb-we will see each color at a different position. This produces a spectrum of colors much like what we saw when white light passed through a prism. This is illustrated in Figure 20.12. Figure 20.12 Light of different wavelengths (or colors) is diffracted through different angles after passing through a grating. Red and violet are shown in this figure; the other colors are spread out between these two extremes.

= m (bright) where m is an integer (m = 0, 1, 2, ...). Figure 20.10 Light from each slit travels an integer number of 's compared to the light from another slit. If is a wavelength (or an integer times a wavelength, = m) so that light from two adjacent slits interfere constructively, then light from all the slits interfere constructively! So far, this seems just to have repeated the results of the double slit experiment. The difference-the very useful difference-comes when we look at the details of the intensity pattern as sketched in Figure 20.11 which shows a graph of the intensity pattern for a double slit and for a diffraction grating. For a double slit, the intensity gradually falls from a maximum to a minimum of zero and then gradually increases again. But for a diffraction grating, the intensity drops off far more quickly. In effect, these maxima become sharp, distinct lines. To understand this, look back at Figure 20.10. Light from each slit travels a distance farther than light from its adjacent slit. Let = (1/10) for a moment. Then light from one slit, such as slit a, will be completely out of phase with light from another slit five slits away, slit f in this case, and these will destructively interfere. Light from each slit will undergo destructive interference with light from another slit, five slits away. With many slits, any angle other than those which provide constructive interference will have zero intensity due to this destructive interference. The bright lines from a diffraction grating will be very sharp. Figure 20.11 Maxima for a diffraction grating appear in the same place as maxima for the double slit but they are much sharper. The intensity drops off far more quickly. In effect, these maxima become sharp lines. Bright lines of constructive interference occur for = m. As the wavelength varies, so will the angle for which constructive interference occurs. If we have white light with a full range of wavelengths from = 400 nm for violet light to =700 nm for red light, each wavelength-or each color-will have constructive interference at a different angle. This means that when we look at a white light source-like the filament of a bulb-we will see each color at a different position. This produces a spectrum of colors much like what we saw when white light passed through a prism. This is illustrated in Figure 20.12. Figure 20.12 Light of different wavelengths (or colors) is diffracted through different angles after passing through a grating. Red and violet are shown in this figure; the other colors are spread out between these two extremes.

Instead of only two slits, we might pass light through a very large number of slits as illustrated in Figure 20.9. Such an arrangement is called a diffraction grating. Diffraction gratings are useful in spectroscopy, producing a spectrum like a prism. A diffraction grating is often made by carefully etching fine, parallel scratches on a piece of glass with a diamond bit. Gratings with over 10,000 lines per centimeter are common. Diffraction gratings can also be produced photographically. Such photographic diffraction gratings with about 5,000 lines per centimeter are commonly available for only a few cents per square centimeter. The diffraction grating of Figure 20.9 looks much like a series of double slits; and, indeed, it is just that. Just as for the arrangement in Young's double slit experiment, light traveling from one slit travels a distance greater than the light from an adjacent slit. Just as with the double slit, this additional distance determines how one wave combines with or interferes with the waves from adjacent slits. Figure 20.9 Light from each successive slit of a diffraction grating travels a distance farther than the light from its adjacent slit. Again, just as with the double slit, if this distance is exactly one wavelength-or two, or three or any integral number of wavelengths-waves from two adjacent slits will arrive in phase and constructive interference will occur. From Figure 20.10 you can also see that light from each slit travels an integral number of 's compared to the light from any other slit. If is a wavelength (or an integer times a wavelength, = m ) so that light from two adjacent slits interfere constructively, then light from all the slits interferes constructively and a bright area or maximum will be seen. Just as for the double slit, we find bright regions for = m (bright) where m is an integer (m = 0, 1, 2, ...). Figure 20.10 Light from each slit travels an integer number of 's compared to the light from another slit. If is a wavelength (or an integer times a wavelength, = m) so that light from two adjacent slits interfere constructively, then light from all the slits interfere constructively! So far, this seems just to have repeated the results of the double slit experiment. The difference-the very useful difference-comes when we look at the details of the intensity pattern as sketched in Figure 20.11 which shows a graph of the intensity pattern for a double slit and for a diffraction grating. For a double slit, the intensity gradually falls from a maximum to a minimum of zero and then gradually increases again. But for a diffraction grating, the intensity drops off far more quickly. In effect, these maxima become sharp, distinct lines. To understand this, look back at Figure 20.10. Light from each slit travels a distance farther than light from its adjacent slit. Let = (1/10) for a moment. Then light from one slit, such as slit a, will be completely out of phase with light from another slit five slits away, slit f in this case, and these will destructively interfere. Light from each slit will undergo destructive interference with light from another slit, five slits away. With many slits, any angle other than those which provide constructive interference will have zero intensity due to this destructive interference. The bright lines from a diffraction grating will be very sharp. Figure 20.11 Maxima for a diffraction grating appear in the same place as maxima for the double slit but they are much sharper. The intensity drops off far more quickly. In effect, these maxima become sharp lines. Bright lines of constructive interference occur for = m. As the wavelength varies, so will the angle for which constructive interference occurs. If we have white light with a full range of wavelengths from = 400 nm for violet light to =700 nm for red light, each wavelength-or each color-will have constructive interference at a different angle. This means that when we look at a white light source-like the filament of a bulb-we will see each color at a different position. This produces a spectrum of colors much like what we saw when white light passed through a prism. This is illustrated in Figure 20.12. Figure 20.12 Light of different wavelengths (or colors) is diffracted through different angles after passing through a grating. Red and violet are shown in this figure; the other colors are spread out between these two extremes. [Prev Section] [Next Section] [Table of Contents] [Chapter Contents]

Diffraction gratingformula

The diffraction grating of Figure 20.9 looks much like a series of double slits; and, indeed, it is just that. Just as for the arrangement in Young's double slit experiment, light traveling from one slit travels a distance greater than the light from an adjacent slit. Just as with the double slit, this additional distance determines how one wave combines with or interferes with the waves from adjacent slits. Figure 20.9 Light from each successive slit of a diffraction grating travels a distance farther than the light from its adjacent slit. Again, just as with the double slit, if this distance is exactly one wavelength-or two, or three or any integral number of wavelengths-waves from two adjacent slits will arrive in phase and constructive interference will occur. From Figure 20.10 you can also see that light from each slit travels an integral number of 's compared to the light from any other slit. If is a wavelength (or an integer times a wavelength, = m ) so that light from two adjacent slits interfere constructively, then light from all the slits interferes constructively and a bright area or maximum will be seen. Just as for the double slit, we find bright regions for = m (bright) where m is an integer (m = 0, 1, 2, ...). Figure 20.10 Light from each slit travels an integer number of 's compared to the light from another slit. If is a wavelength (or an integer times a wavelength, = m) so that light from two adjacent slits interfere constructively, then light from all the slits interfere constructively! So far, this seems just to have repeated the results of the double slit experiment. The difference-the very useful difference-comes when we look at the details of the intensity pattern as sketched in Figure 20.11 which shows a graph of the intensity pattern for a double slit and for a diffraction grating. For a double slit, the intensity gradually falls from a maximum to a minimum of zero and then gradually increases again. But for a diffraction grating, the intensity drops off far more quickly. In effect, these maxima become sharp, distinct lines. To understand this, look back at Figure 20.10. Light from each slit travels a distance farther than light from its adjacent slit. Let = (1/10) for a moment. Then light from one slit, such as slit a, will be completely out of phase with light from another slit five slits away, slit f in this case, and these will destructively interfere. Light from each slit will undergo destructive interference with light from another slit, five slits away. With many slits, any angle other than those which provide constructive interference will have zero intensity due to this destructive interference. The bright lines from a diffraction grating will be very sharp. Figure 20.11 Maxima for a diffraction grating appear in the same place as maxima for the double slit but they are much sharper. The intensity drops off far more quickly. In effect, these maxima become sharp lines. Bright lines of constructive interference occur for = m. As the wavelength varies, so will the angle for which constructive interference occurs. If we have white light with a full range of wavelengths from = 400 nm for violet light to =700 nm for red light, each wavelength-or each color-will have constructive interference at a different angle. This means that when we look at a white light source-like the filament of a bulb-we will see each color at a different position. This produces a spectrum of colors much like what we saw when white light passed through a prism. This is illustrated in Figure 20.12. Figure 20.12 Light of different wavelengths (or colors) is diffracted through different angles after passing through a grating. Red and violet are shown in this figure; the other colors are spread out between these two extremes.

where m is an integer (m = 0, 1, 2, ...). Figure 20.10 Light from each slit travels an integer number of 's compared to the light from another slit. If is a wavelength (or an integer times a wavelength, = m) so that light from two adjacent slits interfere constructively, then light from all the slits interfere constructively! So far, this seems just to have repeated the results of the double slit experiment. The difference-the very useful difference-comes when we look at the details of the intensity pattern as sketched in Figure 20.11 which shows a graph of the intensity pattern for a double slit and for a diffraction grating. For a double slit, the intensity gradually falls from a maximum to a minimum of zero and then gradually increases again. But for a diffraction grating, the intensity drops off far more quickly. In effect, these maxima become sharp, distinct lines. To understand this, look back at Figure 20.10. Light from each slit travels a distance farther than light from its adjacent slit. Let = (1/10) for a moment. Then light from one slit, such as slit a, will be completely out of phase with light from another slit five slits away, slit f in this case, and these will destructively interfere. Light from each slit will undergo destructive interference with light from another slit, five slits away. With many slits, any angle other than those which provide constructive interference will have zero intensity due to this destructive interference. The bright lines from a diffraction grating will be very sharp. Figure 20.11 Maxima for a diffraction grating appear in the same place as maxima for the double slit but they are much sharper. The intensity drops off far more quickly. In effect, these maxima become sharp lines. Bright lines of constructive interference occur for = m. As the wavelength varies, so will the angle for which constructive interference occurs. If we have white light with a full range of wavelengths from = 400 nm for violet light to =700 nm for red light, each wavelength-or each color-will have constructive interference at a different angle. This means that when we look at a white light source-like the filament of a bulb-we will see each color at a different position. This produces a spectrum of colors much like what we saw when white light passed through a prism. This is illustrated in Figure 20.12. Figure 20.12 Light of different wavelengths (or colors) is diffracted through different angles after passing through a grating. Red and violet are shown in this figure; the other colors are spread out between these two extremes.

What isdiffraction gratingin Physics

Diffraction grating patternwavelength

* 20.3 Diffraction Grating [Prev Section] [Next Section] [Table of Contents] [Chapter Contents] Instead of only two slits, we might pass light through a very large number of slits as illustrated in Figure 20.9. Such an arrangement is called a diffraction grating. Diffraction gratings are useful in spectroscopy, producing a spectrum like a prism. A diffraction grating is often made by carefully etching fine, parallel scratches on a piece of glass with a diamond bit. Gratings with over 10,000 lines per centimeter are common. Diffraction gratings can also be produced photographically. Such photographic diffraction gratings with about 5,000 lines per centimeter are commonly available for only a few cents per square centimeter. The diffraction grating of Figure 20.9 looks much like a series of double slits; and, indeed, it is just that. Just as for the arrangement in Young's double slit experiment, light traveling from one slit travels a distance greater than the light from an adjacent slit. Just as with the double slit, this additional distance determines how one wave combines with or interferes with the waves from adjacent slits. Figure 20.9 Light from each successive slit of a diffraction grating travels a distance farther than the light from its adjacent slit. Again, just as with the double slit, if this distance is exactly one wavelength-or two, or three or any integral number of wavelengths-waves from two adjacent slits will arrive in phase and constructive interference will occur. From Figure 20.10 you can also see that light from each slit travels an integral number of 's compared to the light from any other slit. If is a wavelength (or an integer times a wavelength, = m ) so that light from two adjacent slits interfere constructively, then light from all the slits interferes constructively and a bright area or maximum will be seen. Just as for the double slit, we find bright regions for = m (bright) where m is an integer (m = 0, 1, 2, ...). Figure 20.10 Light from each slit travels an integer number of 's compared to the light from another slit. If is a wavelength (or an integer times a wavelength, = m) so that light from two adjacent slits interfere constructively, then light from all the slits interfere constructively! So far, this seems just to have repeated the results of the double slit experiment. The difference-the very useful difference-comes when we look at the details of the intensity pattern as sketched in Figure 20.11 which shows a graph of the intensity pattern for a double slit and for a diffraction grating. For a double slit, the intensity gradually falls from a maximum to a minimum of zero and then gradually increases again. But for a diffraction grating, the intensity drops off far more quickly. In effect, these maxima become sharp, distinct lines. To understand this, look back at Figure 20.10. Light from each slit travels a distance farther than light from its adjacent slit. Let = (1/10) for a moment. Then light from one slit, such as slit a, will be completely out of phase with light from another slit five slits away, slit f in this case, and these will destructively interfere. Light from each slit will undergo destructive interference with light from another slit, five slits away. With many slits, any angle other than those which provide constructive interference will have zero intensity due to this destructive interference. The bright lines from a diffraction grating will be very sharp. Figure 20.11 Maxima for a diffraction grating appear in the same place as maxima for the double slit but they are much sharper. The intensity drops off far more quickly. In effect, these maxima become sharp lines. Bright lines of constructive interference occur for = m. As the wavelength varies, so will the angle for which constructive interference occurs. If we have white light with a full range of wavelengths from = 400 nm for violet light to =700 nm for red light, each wavelength-or each color-will have constructive interference at a different angle. This means that when we look at a white light source-like the filament of a bulb-we will see each color at a different position. This produces a spectrum of colors much like what we saw when white light passed through a prism. This is illustrated in Figure 20.12. Figure 20.12 Light of different wavelengths (or colors) is diffracted through different angles after passing through a grating. Red and violet are shown in this figure; the other colors are spread out between these two extremes. [Prev Section] [Next Section] [Table of Contents] [Chapter Contents]

Bright lines of constructive interference occur for = m. As the wavelength varies, so will the angle for which constructive interference occurs. If we have white light with a full range of wavelengths from = 400 nm for violet light to =700 nm for red light, each wavelength-or each color-will have constructive interference at a different angle. This means that when we look at a white light source-like the filament of a bulb-we will see each color at a different position. This produces a spectrum of colors much like what we saw when white light passed through a prism. This is illustrated in Figure 20.12. Figure 20.12 Light of different wavelengths (or colors) is diffracted through different angles after passing through a grating. Red and violet are shown in this figure; the other colors are spread out between these two extremes.

Diffraction gratingexperiment

[Prev Section] [Next Section] [Table of Contents] [Chapter Contents] Instead of only two slits, we might pass light through a very large number of slits as illustrated in Figure 20.9. Such an arrangement is called a diffraction grating. Diffraction gratings are useful in spectroscopy, producing a spectrum like a prism. A diffraction grating is often made by carefully etching fine, parallel scratches on a piece of glass with a diamond bit. Gratings with over 10,000 lines per centimeter are common. Diffraction gratings can also be produced photographically. Such photographic diffraction gratings with about 5,000 lines per centimeter are commonly available for only a few cents per square centimeter. The diffraction grating of Figure 20.9 looks much like a series of double slits; and, indeed, it is just that. Just as for the arrangement in Young's double slit experiment, light traveling from one slit travels a distance greater than the light from an adjacent slit. Just as with the double slit, this additional distance determines how one wave combines with or interferes with the waves from adjacent slits. Figure 20.9 Light from each successive slit of a diffraction grating travels a distance farther than the light from its adjacent slit. Again, just as with the double slit, if this distance is exactly one wavelength-or two, or three or any integral number of wavelengths-waves from two adjacent slits will arrive in phase and constructive interference will occur. From Figure 20.10 you can also see that light from each slit travels an integral number of 's compared to the light from any other slit. If is a wavelength (or an integer times a wavelength, = m ) so that light from two adjacent slits interfere constructively, then light from all the slits interferes constructively and a bright area or maximum will be seen. Just as for the double slit, we find bright regions for = m (bright) where m is an integer (m = 0, 1, 2, ...). Figure 20.10 Light from each slit travels an integer number of 's compared to the light from another slit. If is a wavelength (or an integer times a wavelength, = m) so that light from two adjacent slits interfere constructively, then light from all the slits interfere constructively! So far, this seems just to have repeated the results of the double slit experiment. The difference-the very useful difference-comes when we look at the details of the intensity pattern as sketched in Figure 20.11 which shows a graph of the intensity pattern for a double slit and for a diffraction grating. For a double slit, the intensity gradually falls from a maximum to a minimum of zero and then gradually increases again. But for a diffraction grating, the intensity drops off far more quickly. In effect, these maxima become sharp, distinct lines. To understand this, look back at Figure 20.10. Light from each slit travels a distance farther than light from its adjacent slit. Let = (1/10) for a moment. Then light from one slit, such as slit a, will be completely out of phase with light from another slit five slits away, slit f in this case, and these will destructively interfere. Light from each slit will undergo destructive interference with light from another slit, five slits away. With many slits, any angle other than those which provide constructive interference will have zero intensity due to this destructive interference. The bright lines from a diffraction grating will be very sharp. Figure 20.11 Maxima for a diffraction grating appear in the same place as maxima for the double slit but they are much sharper. The intensity drops off far more quickly. In effect, these maxima become sharp lines. Bright lines of constructive interference occur for = m. As the wavelength varies, so will the angle for which constructive interference occurs. If we have white light with a full range of wavelengths from = 400 nm for violet light to =700 nm for red light, each wavelength-or each color-will have constructive interference at a different angle. This means that when we look at a white light source-like the filament of a bulb-we will see each color at a different position. This produces a spectrum of colors much like what we saw when white light passed through a prism. This is illustrated in Figure 20.12. Figure 20.12 Light of different wavelengths (or colors) is diffracted through different angles after passing through a grating. Red and violet are shown in this figure; the other colors are spread out between these two extremes. [Prev Section] [Next Section] [Table of Contents] [Chapter Contents]