Huygens-Fresnel principle and Diffraction

In summary, when the aperture is reduced, the disturbance is localized to a smaller area which then propagates and creates a circular wavefront due to the disturbance affecting its surrounding neighbors symmetrically. For a more detailed explanation, Introduction To Modern Optics by Fowles provides a classical mathematical description of this phenomenon through the Fresnel-Kirchhoff Formula.
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  • #2
You can check out Introduction To Modern Optics by Fowles for a classical mathematical description of the phenomenon. This book casts Huygen's principle into the Fresnel-Kirchhoff Formula and then applies it in several settings. If you think about it, shrinking the aperture localizes the disturbance to a "point-like" area. When the disturbance then propagates (towards the left in the picture), the "point-like" area bothers all of its surrounding neighbors, which bother their neighbors, etc...; symmetrically. It is like dropping a pebble in a pond and producing a circular wavefront.
 
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  • #3


Hi there! The Huygens-Fresnel principle is a fundamental concept in the field of optics that helps to explain the behavior of light waves when they encounter an obstacle or a barrier, such as a slit. This principle states that every point on a wavefront can be considered as a source of secondary spherical wavelets, which then combine to form the overall wavefront.

In the case of diffraction, when a beam of light passes through a small slit, the wavefront becomes distorted and spreads out, resulting in a diffraction pattern. This is because the wavefront is being blocked by the edges of the slit, causing the secondary wavelets to interfere with each other and create the diffraction pattern.

As the slit is reduced in size, the amount of interference between the secondary wavelets increases, causing the wavefront to become more and more circular. This is because the smaller the slit, the more the secondary wavelets are forced to interact with each other, resulting in a more circular wavefront.

I hope this helps to explain the phenomenon you are interested in. Let me know if you have any further questions!
 

What is the Huygens-Fresnel principle?

The Huygens-Fresnel principle is a concept in physics that explains the behavior of light as it passes through an aperture or diffracts around an object. It states that every point on a wavefront can be considered as a source of secondary waves, which then combine to form the overall wave pattern.

How does the Huygens-Fresnel principle relate to diffraction?

The Huygens-Fresnel principle helps to explain the phenomenon of diffraction, which is the bending of waves around obstacles or through small openings. It shows that when a wave encounters an obstacle, it spreads out in all directions as if each point on the wavefront were a source of secondary waves. This leads to the characteristic diffraction patterns observed in light passing through narrow slits or around objects.

What is the difference between the Huygens-Fresnel principle and the principle of superposition?

While both principles are used to explain the behavior of waves, the Huygens-Fresnel principle specifically focuses on the behavior of light waves, while the principle of superposition is a more general concept that applies to all types of waves. Additionally, the Huygens-Fresnel principle deals with the propagation of waves through space, while the principle of superposition deals with the interaction of waves at a specific point in space.

How is the Huygens-Fresnel principle used in practical applications?

The Huygens-Fresnel principle is used in various practical applications, such as in the design of lenses, mirrors, and other optical devices. It is also used in the field of holography, where it helps to create three-dimensional images by recording the interference patterns of diffracted light. Additionally, the principle is important in understanding the behavior of radio waves and in the study of diffraction in other types of waves, such as sound waves and water waves.

Are there any limitations to the Huygens-Fresnel principle?

While the Huygens-Fresnel principle is a useful tool for understanding the behavior of light and other types of waves, it does have some limitations. It is a theoretical concept that assumes ideal conditions, so it may not accurately predict the behavior of waves in all real-world scenarios. Additionally, it does not fully explain the nature of light as a wave and does not take into account the particle-like properties of light.

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