What are g and a in a Diffraction Grating Problem?

Click For Summary
In a diffraction grating problem, the period D defines the spacing of the grating, while each element consists of narrow slits separated by D/N. The discussion involves sketching the diffraction pattern for normal illumination, calculating the relative intensities of diffraction peaks for N=4, and identifying forbidden peaks. For N=2, the solution simplifies to that of a simple grating with period D/2. The participant seeks guidance on expressing the grating function in a manipulable form, acknowledging previous attempts were unclear and incorrect.
asdfghhjkl
Messages
15
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


A diffraction grating has period D, and each element of the grating consists of a pair of narrow slits separated by D/N where N is an integer.
a) Sketch the diffraction pattern when the grating is normally illuminated
b)Calculate the relative intensities $I_n$ of the various diffraction peaks of order n, for the case N=4. Which peaks are forbidden?
c)For the case N=2 show that the solution reduced to that of a simple grating of period D/2.

Homework Equations



See step 3 for my full attempt to solve the problem.

The Attempt at a Solution



I am aware that the above solution is incorrect, because I ended up ignoring so many things that the solution equals to the one for a double slit, but superposed on a comb of delta functions. My problem is that I don't know how to write the complete function of the grating as a simple function which one could nicely manipulate. Could someone please point me in the correct direction?

P.s I am aware that my attempt of the solution is not the most clear.

P.s.s Link to the higher resolution picture here.
 

Attachments

  • 20141218_170839.jpg
    20141218_170839.jpg
    33.5 KB · Views: 606
Physics news on Phys.org
"narrow slits" -> you can ignore single-slit effects. There is no envelope.

The pattern there is for the grating. You can see which phase you get between the two slits for those peaks.
What are g and a?
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
571
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
4K
Replies
6
Views
3K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
6
Views
3K
Replies
1
Views
2K