Diffraction of light

The phenomenon of the deviation of light from the rectilinear direction of propagation, which is not caused by reflection or refraction. It occurs on obstacles that have a size comparable to the wavelength of light. What is important is the passage of light through the slit, which according to Huygens' principle is the source of elementary waves.

The optical grating is formed by a large number of parallel scratches on the glass (up to 1000 per 1 mm), where the intact places represent the slits and scratches of the gap between them.
 * d · sin &alpha; = k · &lambda;
 * d = lattice constant (slit spacing), &alpha; = the angle of the outgoing rays, k = order of the bending maximum, &lambda; = wavelength of light

It follows from the equation that when white light passes through interference, a bending (lattice) spectrum is created, where red light is deviated the most and violet light the least.

Related articles

 * Dispersion of light
 * Optical grating