Diffraction of Light by a Single Slit

Condition for a maximum (approximation):

a = 0° or b sin a = (k + ½) l

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

Condition for a minimum:

b sin a = k l

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

URL: http://www.walter-fendt.de/ph14e/singleslit.htm
© Walter Fendt, October 11, 2003
Last modification: November 1, 2003