11.

3 Diffraction at a Single Slit

11.3.1 Sketch the variation with angle of diffraction of the relative intensity of light
diffracted at a single slit.

A bright central maximum with secondary maxima on either side; alternating

maxima and minima

Appreciable if the wavelength of the light is greater than or equal to the size
of the aperture.

Intensity
n = -2
slit of width a

n = -1

n = +1
n = +2
P

11.3.2 Derive the formula =/b for the position of the first minimum of the diffraction
pattern produced at a single slit.

Fraunhofer diffraction (light source and screen are an infinite distance from
the slits).

1
b
2
d

P
D

Slit width such that light from one edge of the slit reaches point P one
wavelength ahead of light from the other edge of the slit
Light from the top of the slit is out of phase from the light arriving from the
middle of the slit; continues down the length of the slit
Destructive interference results at P

If D is large, then 1 and 2 are nearly equal

Minimum at P: = b sin 1
Small angle approximation gives = / b

Actual width of the first maximum (position of the first minimum) along the
screen can be calculated if D is known using d = D / b

11.3.3 Solve problems involving single-slit diffraction.

1. A slit is illuminated by light of wavelength . Find the angular position of
the first diffraction minimum as the slit width expands from to 5 and 10 .
(sin = n/a = n/ = 90; 12; 6; demonstrates that as the slit becomes
wider, the central diffraction peak becomes narrower)
2. A narrow slit is illuminated with yellow light of wavelength 589 nm. If the
central diffraction maximum extends from 0 to 40, how wide is the slit?
(916 nm)

3. A slit of width 1600 nm is 0.5 m from a screen. It is illuminated by light

with a wavelength of 400 nm. What is the distance between the first minima
on either side of the bright central maximum? (0.258 m)
4. A parallel beam of light of wavelength 650 nm is directed at a single slit of
width 0.14 mm in a darkened room. A screen is placed 1.50 m from the
single slit. a) Sketch a graph to show how the intensity of light falling on the
screen varies with position across the screen. b) Calculate the width of the
central fringe (13.9 mm) c) Suppose the slit could be made wider. Sketch a
graph to show how the intensity at point X, a distance of 5 mm from the
central maximum, varies with slit width as the slit is widened.

11.4 Resolution
11.4.1 Sketch the variation with angle of diffraction of the relative intensity of light
emitted by two point sources that has been diffracted at a single slit.

Light from a distant star will diffract around the circular aperture of the lens
producing an image surrounded by diffraction rings.
Two distant objects that are very close together will produce diffraction
patterns that will merge with each other making it difficult to distinguish the
pattern as belonging to two separate objects.
The degree of overlap depends upon the width of our pupil, the wavelength
of light, and the angular separation of the two point sources
In order to separate two light waves of nearly equal wavelength, the maxima
must not overlap too much; the maximum separation was established by Lord
Rayleigh (1842-1919)

Intensity

Intensity
I1

I2

I1 + I2

sin

11.4.2 State the Rayleigh criterion for images of two sources to be just resolved.

Two adjacent maxima can just be resolved if their intensities are each half
their respective peak values at the point where the overlap is greatest.

Since the aperture is circular, the formula is = 1.22 / b

11.4.3 Describe the significance of resolution in the development of devices such as CDs
and DVDs, the electron microscope and radio telescopes.

sin

11.4.4 Solve problems involving resolution