TABLE OF CONTENTS

S.No. TOPIC Page No.

1. Introduction 5

2. Diffraction 6

3. History Of Diffraction 7

4. Wave Theory of Light 8

5. Types of diffraction 10

6. Comparison between Fresnel and 12

Fraunhofer Diffraction

7. Mathematical Analysis of Diffraction 13

8. Application of Diffraction 16

9. Experimental Analysis of Diffraction 18

10. Conclusion 20

11. Bibliography 21

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 INTRODUCTION

Diffraction is a fundamental phenomenon in wave physics

where waves, including light and sound, bend around obstacles
or pass through small openings, leading to the spreading and
interference of waves. This project aims to explore the
principles, applications, and experimental observations of
diffraction.

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 DIFFRACTION

Bending of light around corners such that it spreads out and

illuminates’ regions is known as diffraction.
Diffraction can be observed easily when we replace the double
slit of the young double slit experiment with a single narrow
slit. As the light passes this narrow slit a bright pattern at the
centre is observed.
The diffraction phenomenon is very similar to the interference
phenomenon and they both happen simultaneously. Generally,
it’s difficult to distinguish between diffraction and interference
since they both happen at the same time. Diffraction is observed
when light is diffracted from water droplets in the clouds and
we see shades of blue, pink, purple, and green in clouds.

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 HISTORY OF DIFFRACTION

The effects of diffraction of light were first carefully observed

and characterized by Francesco Maria Grimaldi, who also
coined the term diffraction, from the Latin diffringere, 'to break
into pieces', referring to light breaking up into different
directions. The results of Grimaldi's observations were
published posthumously in 1665. Isaac Newton studied these
effects and attributed them to inflexion of light rays. James
Gregory (1638–1675) observed the diffraction patterns caused
by a bird feather, which was effectively the first diffraction
grating to be discovered. Thomas Young performed a
celebrated experiment in 1803 demonstrating interference from
two closely spaced slits.[12] Explaining his results by
interference of the waves emanating from the two different
slits, he deduced that light must propagate as waves. Augustin-
Jean Fresnel did more definitive studies and calculations of
diffraction, made public in 1816 and 1818, and thereby gave
great support to the wave theory of light that had been advanced
by Christiaan Huygens and reinvigorated by Young, against
Newton's corpuscular theory of light.

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 WAVE THEORY OF LIGHT
Basic Wave theory: Waves transfer energy from one point to
another without transferring matter. They consist of
disturbances which transfer the energy in the direction the wave
travels without transferring matter.

Huygens' Principle and its relevance to diffraction: Huygens

principle is a method of analysis applied to wave propagation
problems both in the far-field limit and near-field diffraction
and reflection. It states that: “Every point on a wave front is in
itself the source of spherical wavelets which spread out in the
forward direction at the speed of light.

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Light as a wave- Interference and diffraction: Interference
happens when two light waves meet and mix together. It is
caused by two or more light waves coming together.
Diffraction happens when a light wave bends around corners or
through small openings. It is caused by light waves hitting an
obstacle or passing through a small gap.

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 TYPES OF DIFFRACTION
Fraunhofer Diffraction:
 When all the light rays passing through the narrow slit are
parallel to each other than the diffraction which occurs is
called Fraunhofer Diffraction.
 This diffraction is achieved by placing the light source far
away from the narrow slit.
 The screen and the source are at an infinite distance from
each other in this type of diffraction. Fraunhofer
Diffraction uses a convex lens to produce a diffracting
pattern.

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Fresnel Diffraction:
 If the light source and screen at which the diffraction
pattern is obtained are at finite distances then the
diffraction is called Fresnel Diffraction.
 In Fresnel Diffraction, the shapes obtained from the
incident wave fronts are spherical. In this type of
diffraction, a convex lens is not required.

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COMPARISON BETWEEN FRESNEL AND
FRAUNHOFER DIFFRACTION

FRAUNHOFER FRESNEL
DIFFRACTION DIFFRACTION
DEFINITION Fraunhofer Fresnel diffraction
diffraction is an is an equation that
equation that is we can apply to the
useful in modelling propagation of
the diffraction of waves in the near
waves where the field.
diffraction patterns
appears at a long
distance from the
diffracting object.
BASIS Involves the Involves the
modelling of the modelling of the
diffraction of diffraction of
waves having the waves having the
diffraction pattern diffraction pattern
appearing at a long appearing at a near
distance from the proximity from the
diffracting object. diffracting object

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 MATHEMATICAL ANALYSIS OF
DIFFRACTION
Single Silt Diffraction: Single Slit Diffraction is a fundamental
concept in wave optics that explains how light behaves as a
wave when passing through a narrow slit. When coherent light
(like a laser) goes through a single narrow slit, the waves spread
out, and their interaction creates a pattern on a screen placed
some distance away. This phenomenon, known as diffraction,
leads to the formation of alternating bright and dark regions,
showcasing the wave nature of light.

Derivation:
Consider a monochromatic source of light that passes through
a slit AB of width a as shown in the figure. At point P on the
screen, the secondary waves interfere destructively and
produce a dark fringe. Let D be the distance between the slit
and the screen, and y be the distance between point P and point
O, the centre of the screen. AC is perpendicular to BP. Let θ be
the angle of diffraction, and θ’ is the angle BAC.

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We assume that the screen is at a considerable distance from
the slit, i.e., D >> a. Hence,
θ = θ’
And,
sin θ ≈ tan θ ≈ θ = y/D
The path difference between the two rays AP and BP is given
by,
Δ = BP – AP = BC
In the right-angled triangle BCA,
sin θ’ = sin θ = BC/BA
BC = BA sin θ = a sin θ
Therefore,
Δ = a sin θ

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Diffraction Minima
The condition for minima or dark fringe is,
Path difference = integral multiple of wavelength
or, Δ = nλ (n=±1, ±2, ±3… etc.)
or, a sin θ = nλ
or, ay/D = nλ
or, yn = nλD/a
This equation gives the distance of the n-th dark fringe from the
centre.
The fringe width is given by,
β = yn+1 – yn = (n+1) λD/a – nλD/a
or, β = λD/a
Diffraction Maxima
The condition for maxima or bright fringe is,
Path difference = non-integral multiple of wavelength
or, Δ = (n+1/2) λ (n=±1, ±2, ±3… etc.)
or, a sin θ = (n+1/2)λ
or, ay/D = (n+1/2)λ
or, yn = (n+1/2)λD/a
The intensity of single-slit diffraction is given by, I = I0 [sin (π
a sin θ/λ)/( π a sin θ/λ)]2
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 APPLICATIONS OF DIFFRACTION
Diffraction has a wide range of applications across various
fields. Here are some notable examples:
CDs and DVDs: The surface of CDs and DVDs has tiny
grooves that cause light to diffract, creating the rainbow-like
patterns you see when light reflects off them.

Holography: Holograms use diffraction to create three-

dimensional images. Different parts of the image are
diffracted and recombined to form a 3D representation.

X-ray Diffraction (XRD): This technique is used to

determine the atomic and molecular structure of a crystal. By
measuring the angles and intensities of diffracted X-rays,
scientists can infer the crystal’s structure.

Spectroscopy: Diffraction gratings are used in

spectrometers to separate light into its component
wavelengths, allowing for the analysis of the spectral
composition of light sources.
Optical Instruments: Diffraction limits the resolution of
optical instruments like microscopes and
telescopes. Understanding and managing diffraction effects
is crucial for improving the performance of these devices.

Communication Technology: Diffraction allows radio

waves to bend around obstacles, enabling communication
even when the transmitter and receiver are not in a direct line
of sight.

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Medical Imaging: Techniques like X-ray diffraction are
used in medical imaging to provide detailed images of the
internal structure of the body.

Everyday Phenomena: Diffraction is responsible for

various everyday phenomena, such as the bending of light
around the edges of objects and the formation of patterns
when light passes through small apertures.

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EXPERIMENTAL ANALYSIS OF DIFFRACTION

Single Slit Diffraction

Aim: Experiment to study the phenomena of single slit
diffraction.
Requirements: Two Razor Blade, One glass electric Bulb,
Filter, Black Paper
Procedure:
a) Hold the two blades so that the edges are parallel and have
a narrow slit in between. This can be done easily with thumb
and forefingers as shown in figure, and cover them with
black paper.
b) Keep the slit parallel to the filament of the bulb which
plays the role of first slit, right in front of eye.
c) Adjust the width of the slit and the parallelism of the
edges the pattern of light and dark bands is visible.
d) As the position of the bands (except the central one)
depends on the wavelength, they will show some colours. e)
Use a filter for red and blue to make fringes clearer, Compare
the fringes.

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 Observation: Since the position of all the bands depends on
wavelength so they will show some colour. More the
wavelength, more they will diffract.

Result: Fringes are wider for red compared to blue.

Precaution: Protect your eyes by using spectacles while

performing the experiment. Don't use sunlight instead of the
bulb as sun also produces eyes. Infrared rays harmful to our
eyes.

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 CONCLUSION

Light diffraction shows how light waves bend and spread

when they come into contact with objects or squeeze through
narrow spaces. This phenomena is important for many
optical applications, such as developing sophisticated optical
systems like diffraction gratings or producing rainbows.
Knowing diffraction allows for the creation of cutting-edge
spectroscopy, microscopy, and telecommunications
technologies.

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 BIBLIOGRAPHY

 Physics NCERT Textbook

 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diffraction
 https://www.britannica.com/science/diffraction
 https://isaacphysics.org/concepts/cp_diffraction
 https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/diffraction-of-light/
 https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/single-slit-diffraction/

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