Difference Between Interference and Diffraction

molly16 · May 16, 2011

Can anyone tell me the difference between interference in double slit's and single slit diffraction?

Delphi51 · May 17, 2011

Welcome to PF, molly!
Check Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double-slit_experiment
They have a nice comparison of the patterns. You should be able to find the formulas for the patterns in each case.

The patterns are different because in the single slit you get interference from the light coming through the slit on the left and right sides. All parts interfering with the others, actually. The double slit is much simpler - light from one slit interferes with light from the other and the dominating effect is the slightly different distances from each slit to the screen.

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