DIFFRACTION OF LIGHT

These flashcards cover key terms related to the diffraction of light, including definitions and important concepts.

Diffraction of Light

The bending of light around corners and the spreading of light waves into shadows.

Fraunhofer Diffraction

Diffraction produced when the light source and observation point are at infinite distances from the diffractor, resulting in plane wavefronts.

Fresnel Diffraction

Diffraction that occurs when the light source and observation point are at finite distances from the aperture.

Principal Maximum

The brightest point in a diffraction pattern where all rays from a wavefront arrive in phase.

Intensity Distribution

The variation of intensity across the diffraction pattern.

Diffraction Grating

An arrangement consisting of many parallel slits for the purpose of diffracting light into a spectrum.

Angular Width of Principal Maximum

The angle range between the minima on either side of the principal maximum in a diffraction pattern.

Secondary Maxima

Weaker maxima that occur in between the principal maxima in a diffraction pattern.

Absent Spectrum

An order of principal maximum that is missing due to overlapping of minima and maxima.

Dispersion

The separation of light into its component colors as it passes through a diffraction grating.