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6 3diffraction Notes

Diffraction is the superposition of many coherent waves. A diffraction grating consists of many parallel slits that diffract light into different angles based on the grating spacing and wavelength. Single slit diffraction results from the interference of light passing through a slit, creating an intensity pattern with maxima and minima. Circular diffraction from a circular aperture limits the minimum spot size that can be formed by a lens based on the aperture diameter and wavelength. Diffraction effects limit the resolution of optical systems.

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76 views5 pages

6 3diffraction Notes

Diffraction is the superposition of many coherent waves. A diffraction grating consists of many parallel slits that diffract light into different angles based on the grating spacing and wavelength. Single slit diffraction results from the interference of light passing through a slit, creating an intensity pattern with maxima and minima. Circular diffraction from a circular aperture limits the minimum spot size that can be formed by a lens based on the aperture diameter and wavelength. Diffraction effects limit the resolution of optical systems.

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DraganDusper
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© © All Rights Reserved
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Diffraction and Interference

6.1 Diffraction
Diffraction grating
Single slit diffraction
Circular diffraction

Diffraction grating

Diffraction and interference are similar


phenomena.
Interference is the effect of superposition
of 2 coherent waves.
Diffraction is the superposition of many
coherent waves.

Diffraction grating

m=2
Consists of a flat barrier which contains many parallel
slits separated by a short distance d.
A parallel monochromatic light beam passing through the
grating is diffracted by an angle

m=1
d

m=0

two slit interference

m=-1
m=-2

dsin=m
dsin=m

similar to two slit interference.

m=2
m=1

However, the intensity of the diffracted light is higher and


the peaks are much narrower.

m=0
m=-1

multi-slit interference
Diffraction grating

Use of a diffraction grating


in a spectrometer

m=-2

Question
A grating in a spectrometer has a length of 2 cm and has
contains 104 lines. Find the first order diffraction angle
for light with a wavelength of 500 nm.
first order m=1
d=

L
N

2x10 2 m
= 2x10 6 m
10 4

dsin=m
sin =

Dispersion of light of different wavelengths

L=2.0 cm

=104

slits

m 500x10 9
=
= 0.25
d
2x10 6

=14.5o

Optical compact disc

Single slit diffraction


For single slit diffraction
the complex behavior of the
wave as a function of the
aperture a is explained by
interference between multiple
coherent point sources in the slit.

a
10-6 m

The closely spaced dots act like a diffraction grating.


barrier

Two Limiting Cases


Barrier
Ray picture

point
sources

Laser

screen

a>>

Light moves in a straight line

intensity

slit open

Wave picture

What happens to the laser beam


as the slit decreases?

a<<

Light spreads out when passed


through small aperture.
What happens to the
light for the general case?

The pattern spreads out due to


Diffraction.

screen

Single slit diffraction


intensity

slit narrow

Assume Fraunhoffer diffraction conditions


Rays leaving the slit are parallel.
This is true
if the screen is far from the slit
if a lens is used to focus rays from the slit on a screen at the
focal distance from the lens.

What happens to the laser beam


as the slit decreases?
Single slit diffraction pattern

How do we
account for the
minima and
maxima?

Single slit diffraction

Single slit diffraction

Huygens principle Each point in the wave in the slit


acts as a source of spherical waves.

Find the angle at the first minimum


amplitude = 0

sum the waves with different phases

dark

Divide the slit into 2 halves


sum

amplitude()

Light from the top half interferes


destructively with the light from
the bottom half when the
angle is

sin dark =
2
2

Condition for a minimum

asindark=

Circular diffraction

asindark =m
m=+ 1, + 2, .........

dark

Waves passing through a circular hole forms a


a circular diffraction pattern.

Circular diffraction limits the minimum size do the


spot that can be formed by a lens.

Circular diffraction.
Circular hole

According to ray optics.


The first minimum
occurs at

diameter

min = 1.22

D
parallel rays from
a point at infinity

Can focus
on a point
at the focal point
of the lens

Circular diffraction pattern

Circular diffraction limits the minimum size do the


spot that can be formed by a lens.

A camera lens with an f- number (f/D) equal to 1.4 is used


to focus light from a distant source. What is the
diffraction limited diameter of the spot that can be formed
for 500 nm light?

According to wave optics.

min

diameter D

Example

min = 1.22

parallel rays from


a point at infinity

has a diffraction pattern


with a width of min
d = 2r = 2(1.22

f
= 1.4
D

r
f

min

f = 2(1.22)(500x10 9 )(1.4) = 1.7x10 6 m


)
D

about 3 x the
wavelength of the
light

Optical CD

Resolution of two images by a lens


resolved

focused laser
beam

just
resolved

10-6 m

not
resolved

The amount of information that can be encoded is limited


by the diameter of the diffraction-limited spot.

The resolution of images is limited by the


diffraction pattern.

Resolution limit of the eye

Rayleigh criterion
For resolution of two object by a circular lens of
diameter D the diffraction limit of resolution occurs when
the image of the second object is at position of the first
minimum of the diffraction pattern of the first object.

min
D

= 1.22
D
min

Two light sources (= 500nm) are separated vertically by 2.0


mm. How far away can these objects be resolved by the eye
Assume a diameter of the pupil of 2.0 mm. nwater =1.33
L

D=2.0 mm

y
(for small angles)
L
y

= 1.22
L
Dnwater

min =

L=

yDnwater
1.22

water
D

= 1.22
Dnwater

min = 1.22

(2x10 3 )(2x10 3 )(1.33)


= 8.7m
1.22(500x10 9 )

Diffraction limit
Diffraction limits the resolution of objects
viewed through an optical system.
atoms cannot be seen with a light microscope
(shorter wavelengths are required)
Satellite cameras have a limited resolution.

To attain higher resolution.


Larger diameter lenses
Shorter wavelengths.

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