Diffraction of Light by a Single Slit

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Condition for a maximum (approximation):

α = 0° or b sin α = (k + ½) λ

b ... width of slit
α ... angle
k ... order of the maximum (1, 2, 3, ...)
λ ... wavelength

Condition for a minimum:

b sin α = k λ

b ... width of slit
α ... angle
k ... order of the minimum (1, 2, 3, ...)
λ ... wavelength

URL: http://www.walter-fendt.de/ph14e/singleslit.htm
© Walter Fendt, October 11, 2003
Last modification: February 4, 2010