Diffraction grating & young double slit -light not perpendicular to grating

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the effects of non-perpendicular light incidence on diffraction gratings and double slits. When light is not perpendicular, it can lead to incoherent light reaching the slits, which disrupts the interference pattern. The interference fringes will shift, but the fringe separation remains unchanged. Understanding the path difference between rays passing through adjacent slits is crucial for analyzing these effects.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of wave optics principles
  • Familiarity with diffraction gratings and double slit experiments
  • Knowledge of interference patterns and fringe separation
  • Ability to calculate path differences in wavefronts
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the impact of light coherence on interference patterns
  • Learn about the mathematical derivation of path differences in double slit experiments
  • Explore the principles of diffraction grating equations
  • Investigate the effects of varying angles of incidence on diffraction patterns
USEFUL FOR

Students of physics, educators teaching wave optics, and researchers interested in experimental optics will benefit from this discussion.

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Homework Statement



I was a asked a question from an experiment: What happens if the light shone into the diffraction grating or a double slit is not perpendicular to the diffraction grating or double slit? What will happen?

The Attempt at a Solution



Straight away i can tell that the light might not arrive coherently to the slits because of this. But i don't know how incoherent light coming out of the slits will effect anything. All i can imagine happening is that the interference pattern will just shift, so lines of reinforcement will not appear where they were before, but the fringe separation (for double slit) will not be effected at all? Am i right? Or wrong?
 
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Find the path difference between the rays going through two neighbouring slits. I drawing would be beneficial. ehild
 

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