Multiple Slit Diffraction

An interesting thing happens if you pass light through a large number of evenly
spaced parallel slits, called a diffraction grating. An interference pattern is created that
is very similar to the one formed by a double slit (see Figure 2). A diffraction grating
can be manufactured by scratching glass with a sharp tool in a number of precisely
positioned parallel lines, with the untouched regions acting like slits. These can be
photographically mass produced rather cheaply. Diffraction gratings work both for
transmission of light, as in Figure 2, and for reflection of light, as on butterfly wings
and the Australian opal in Figure 3 . In addition to their use as novelty items,
diffraction gratings are commonly used for spectroscopic dispersion and analysis of
light. What makes them particularly useful is the fact that they form a sharper pattern
than double slits do. That is, their bright regions are narrower and brighter, while their
dark regions are darker. Figure 4 shows idealized graphs demonstrating the sharper
pattern. Natural diffraction gratings occur in the feathers of certain birds. Tiny, finger-
like structures in regular patterns act as reflection gratings, producing constructive
interference that gives the feathers colors not solely due to their pigmentation. This is
called iridescence.

Figure 1. A diffraction grating is a large number of evenly spaced parallel slits. (a) Light passing
through is diffracted in a pattern similar to a double slit, with bright regions at various angles. (b) The
pattern obtained for white light incident on a grating. The central maximum is white, and the higher-
order maxima disperse white light into a rainbow of colors.
Figure 2. (a) This Australian opal and (b) the butterfly wings have rows of reflectors that act like
reflection gratings, reflecting different colors at different angles.

Figure 4. Idealized graphs of the intensity of light passing through a double slit (a) and a diffraction
grating (b) for monochromatic light. Maxima can be produced at the same angles, but those for the
diffraction grating are narrower and hence sharper. The maxima become narrower and the regions
between darker as the number of slits is increased.

The analysis of a diffraction grating is very similar to that for a double slit (see Figure
5). As we know from our discussion of double slits in Young’s Double Slit
Experiment, light is diffracted by each slit and spreads out after passing through.
Rays traveling in the same direction (at an angle θ relative to the incident direction)
are shown in Figure 5. Each of these rays travels a different distance to a common
point on a screen far away. The rays start in phase, and they can be in or out of phase
when they reach a screen, depending on the difference in the path lengths traveled.

As seen in Figure 5, each ray travels a distance d sin θ different from that of its
neighbor, where d is the distance between slits. If this distance equals an integral
number of wavelengths, the rays all arrive in phase, and constructive interference (a
maximum) is obtained. Thus, the condition necessary to obtain constructive
interference for a diffraction grating is d sin θ = mλ, for m = 0, 1, −1, 2, −2, . . .
(constructive) where d is the distance between slits in the grating, λ is the wavelength
of light, and m is the order of the maximum. Note that this is exactly the same
equation as for double slits separated by d. However, the slits are usually closer in
diffraction gratings than in double slits, producing fewer maxima at larger angles.

Figure 5.
In Figure 5, we see a diffraction grating showing light rays from each slit traveling in
the same direction. Each ray travels a different distance to reach a common point on a
screen (not shown). Each ray travels a distance d sin θ different from that of its
neighbor.

Where are diffraction gratings used? Diffraction gratings are key components of
monochromators used, for example, in optical imaging of particular wavelengths from
biological or medical samples. A diffraction grating can be chosen to specifically
analyze a wavelength emitted by molecules in diseased cells in a biopsy sample or to
help excite strategic molecules in the sample with a selected frequency of light.
Another vital use is in optical fiber technologies where fibers are designed to provide
optimum performance at specific wavelengths. A range of diffraction gratings are
available for selecting specific wavelengths for such use.

TAKE-HOME EXPERIMENT: RAINBOWS ON A CD

The spacing d of the grooves in a CD or DVD can be well determined by using a laser
and the equation d sin θ = mλ, for m = 0, 1, −1, 2, −2, . . . . However, we can still
make a good estimate of this spacing by using white light and the rainbow of colors
that comes from the interference. Reflect sunlight from a CD onto a wall and use your
best judgment of the location of a strongly diffracted color to find the separation d.

To be submitted to me in class on Friday..

EXAMPLE 1. CALCULATING TYPICAL DIFFRACTION GRATING EFFECTS

Diffraction gratings with 10,000 lines per centimeter are readily available. Suppose
you have one, and you send a beam of white light through it to a screen 2.00 m away.
1. Find the angles for the first-order diffraction of the shortest and longest
wavelengths of visible light (380 and 760 nm).
2. What is the distance between the ends of the rainbow of visible light produced
on the screen for first-order interference? (See Figure 6.)
Figure 6. The diffraction grating considered in this example produces a rainbow of colors on a screen a
distance from the grating. The distances along the screen are measured perpendicular to the x-direction.
In other words, the rainbow pattern extends out of the page.
Strategy

The angles can be found using the equation d sin θ = mλ (for m = 0, 1, −1,
2, −2, . . . ) once a value for the slit spacing d has been determined. Since there are
10,000 lines per centimeter, each line is separated by 1/10,000 of a centimeter. Once
the angles are found, the distances along the screen can be found using simple
trigonometry.

Solution for Part 1

The distance between slits is d=1 cm/10,000

=1.00×10−4 cm
or
1.00 × 10−6 m.
Let us call the two angles θV for violet (380 nm) and θR for red (760 nm). Solving the
equation
d sin θV = mλ for sin θV,
sinθV=mλV/d,
where m = 1 for first order and λV = 380 nm = 3.80 × 10−7 m. Substituting these
values gives
sinθV=3.80×10−7 m/1.00×10−6 m=0.380
Thus the angle θV is θV = sin−1 0.380 = 22.33º.
Similarly,
sinθR=7.60×10−7 m/1.00×10−6 m
Thus the angle θR is θR = sin−1 0.760 = 49.46º.
Notice that in both equations, we reported the results of these intermediate
calculations to four significant figures to use with the calculation in Part 2.

Solution for Part 2

The distances on the screen are labeled yV and yR in Figure 6. Noting that tanθ=y/x,
we can solve for yV and yR. That is, yV = x tan θV = (2.00 m)(tan 22.33º) = 0.815
m and yR = x tan θR = (2.00 m)(tan 49.46º) = 2.338 m.
The distance between them is therefore yR − yV = 1.52 m.

Discussion

The large distance between the red and violet ends of the rainbow produced from the
white light indicates the potential this diffraction grating has as a spectroscopic tool.
The more it can spread out the wavelengths (greater dispersion), the more detail can
be seen in a spectrum. This depends on the quality of the diffraction grating—it must
be very precisely made in addition to having closely spaced lines.