The diffraction pattern at the right is taken with a helium-neon laser and a narrow single slit. The use of the laser makes it easy to meet the requirements of Fraunhofer diffraction. With a general light source, it is possible to meet the Fraunhofer requirements with the use of a pair of lenses.
The active formula below can be used to model the different parameters which affect diffraction through a single slit. Enter the available measurements or model parameters and then click on the parameter you wish to calculate.
This calculation is designed to allow you to enter data and then click on the quantity you wish to calculate in the active formula above. The data will not be forced to be consistent until you click on a quantity to calculate. Default values will be entered for unspecified parameters, but all values may be changed.
Note: The small angle approximation was not used in the calculations above, but it is usually sufficiently accurate for laboratory calculations.