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23 views5 pages

Title Slide

Uploaded by

zaeemabbas2492006
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Title Slide

Title: Single Slit Diffraction

Introduction to Diffraction

Definition: Diffraction refers to the bending of light as it passes around an obstacle or


through a slit.

Significance: Key phenomenon in wave optics; helps understand the wave nature of light.

Examples: Diffraction patterns observed with sound waves, water waves, and light.

Single Slit Diffraction - Overview

What is it? Diffraction of light when it passes through a single narrow aperture.

Importance: Demonstrates light's wave properties and explains intensity patterns on a


screen.

Applications: Spectroscopy, optical instruments, and understanding wave interference.


Experimental Setup

Components:

A light source (e.g., laser)

Single slit of width "a"

Screen to observe the pattern

Setup: Light passes through the slit and projects a pattern on the screen.

Key Parameters

Slit Width (a): Width of the slit that affects diffraction.

Wavelength (λ): Wavelength of the light used.

Distance (D): Distance from the slit to the screen.

Intensity (I): Brightness of the observed fringes.


Observed Pattern

Features:

Central maximum: Brightest and widest fringe.

Side maxima: Fainter fringes on either side of the central maximum.

Minima: Dark regions where destructive interference occurs.

Symmetry: Pattern is symmetric about the central maximum.

Mathematical Representation

Intensity Distribution:

: Maximum intensity

Explains the variation in intensity with angle ().

Conditions for Minima

Equation:
Where

Represents angles where destructive interference causes minima.


Width of Central Maximum

Calculation:

Wider for smaller slit widths ().

Narrow slits cause broader diffraction patterns.

Factors Influencing the Pattern

Wavelength: Longer wavelengths produce wider fringes.

Slit Width: Narrower slits lead to broader diffraction patterns.

Distance (D): Increases size of the pattern on the screen.

Visualization of the Diffraction Pattern

Diagram illustrating:

Central maximum and side maxima.

Minima locations.

Intensity variation.

Clear depiction of symmetry and fringe spacing.


Real-World Applications

Optical Instruments: Resolving closely spaced spectral lines.

Astronomy: Studying star sizes through diffraction patterns.

Communication: Design of diffraction-based sensors and devices.

Historical Context

Thomas Young: Demonstrated wave nature of light with his double-slit experiment.

Fresnel and Fraunhofer Diffraction: Distinguished regimes of diffraction, including single-


slit.

Summary

Single slit diffraction highlights the wave nature of light.

Key features: Central maximum, side maxima, and minima.

Governed by slit width, wavelength, and distance.

Broad applications in science and technology.

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