Single Slit Diffraction

Wave Optics

I(θ) intensity profile

Wavelength

550 nm

Slit Width (a)

50 µm

Screen Distance (L)

1.0 m

Overlays:

I(θ)

Central Max Half-Width

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1st Minimum Angle

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1st Min Position (screen)

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Diffraction Regime

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I(θ) = I₀ · sinc²(β) where β = πa·sinθ / λ

Minima: a·sinθ = mλ m = ±1, ±2, ±3, …

y_m ≈ mλL / a small angle approx. (sinθ ≈ tanθ)

Fresnel#: N_F = a² / λL N_F << 1 → Fraunhofer regime