Skip Navigation
Search

M1-21. Laser Diffraction - Multiple Slits

Purpose

To show the transition from one slit to multiple slits and the diffraction grating.

Equipment

Laser cart with multiple slit slide.

Images

m1-21

Description

A slide contains an array of 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 slits. The single and double slit patterns are familiar. For N slits, where N is 3 or more, N-2 maxima of lesser intensity appear between the primary maxima. As N increases, the primary maxima increase in intensity as the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th,etc. order spots, and these lesser maxima decrease in intensity until they cease to exist for a grating.

References

Kenneth S. Mendelson and Frank G. Karioris, Multislit diffraction patterns using a slit-grating combination, AJP 63, 53-56 (1995).