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Re: Waves revisited



David Abineri <dabineri@dot-net.net> wrote:
When looking at the interference pattern produced by two (or many) slits,
what happens to the single slit patterns that are presumeably being
formed by each slit considered separately? Let's consider monochromatic
light for simplicity. Any ideas appreciated.

They're still there.

Try positioning a razor blade or other sharp edge behind the slits so as
to block off one of the slits. You should see the single-slit pattern
produced by the other one. Now, unblock the first slit. If the two
slits are the same width, you will see the original single-slit pattern
being "broken up" into narrow interference fringes. The brightness of the
fringes varies according to the original single-slit pattern.

The ratio of the separation of the "single-slit minima" to the separation
of the "double-slit minima" equals the ratio of the slit separation to
the slit width.

--
Jon Bell <jtbell@presby.edu> Presbyterian College
Dept. of Physics and Computer Science Clinton, South Carolina USA