Diffraction

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Diffraction is the spreading and interference of waves when they pass through an opening or around an obstacle. The effect is most pronounced when the dimensions of the opening or obstacle are comparable with the wavelength.

Diffraction occurs with light, sound, water waves, radio waves, electrons, neutrons, and other wave-like phenomena. It produces characteristic patterns of maxima and minima formed by constructive and destructive interference.

A single slit creates a broad central maximum with weaker side bands, while multiple regularly spaced openings form sharper diffraction peaks. Crystal lattices act as three-dimensional diffraction structures for X-rays, electrons, and neutrons.

Diffraction limits the resolving power of optical instruments because a point source is imaged as a finite pattern rather than a perfect point. It is also used to measure wavelength, determine crystal structure, analyse materials, and separate spectral components.

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• Source / publisher: Wikipedia
• URL type: WWW
• Credits: Wikipedia
• URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diffraction