Diffraction of Light

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Light can be diffracted

Diffraction effects occur when waves interact with objects having a size similar to the wavelength of radiation. Diffraction is not an important for optical fibers because there must be some specific order in the materials in order to have a diffraction pattern. When light goes through a slit there are two regimes that have been explored; close to the object as in Fresnel diffraction, and the effects of diffraction far from the object: Fraunhofer diffraction.

The result of diffraction is a set of bright and dark fringes, due to constructive and destructive wave interference, called a diffraction pattern.

The width of the light and dark lines is depends on the width of the slit and the wavelength of the light.

The intensity observed far from the slit is given by:

<math>I = I_0 (\frac {sin\alpha} {\alpha})^2\,\!</math>

where

<math>\alpha = \pi w \; sin(\frac {\theta}{\lambda})\,\!</math>

minima are found for %theta; values such that:

<math>Sin \theta_{min} = j\;\frac {\lambda} {w}\,\!</math>

with j = ±1, ±2, ±3, …

Therefore: the narrower the slit, the wider the fringe spacing

If white light is diffracted, each λ will be diffracted through a slightly different angle. Red light is diffracted through a wider angle than violet light because sin theta is related to wavelength.

Diffraction Gratings

Planar diffraction gratings consist of an object inscribed with a set of parallel lines which have a spacing similar to that of the wavelength of light.

transmission gratings have alternating clear and opaque lines diffraction effects are seen for light passing through the clear strips.

reflection gratings consist of a set of grooves that are regularly spaced diffraction effects are seen for light reflected from the patterned surface.

The grooves can be formed by photochemical reactions that leads to the displacement of the materials on the surfaces forming grooves. This is interesting because these patterns can be used to store information.

Diffraction and interference simulator.

Line spacing

The positions of the diffraction maxima in the case of a transmission grating occur for:

<math>Sin \theta_{max} = n \frac {\lambda} {d }\,\!</math>

with n = ±1, ±2, ±3, …

D is the spacing the lines.

Diffraction by crystals

Atoms in crystals have spacings similar to the λ of x-rays and form a 3-D grating for such light. The diffraction patterns can be used to infer the structure of the molecules in the crystal.