How do diffraction patterns change with laser and filtered light?

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the effects of different light sources on diffraction patterns observed on a screen. A HeNe laser with a wavelength of 633nm is used to illuminate an opaque plate with a specified aperture, producing a distinct diffraction pattern. When the laser is replaced with a normal electric filament bulb and a red filter, the resulting diffraction pattern broadens due to the longer wavelength of the red light, which increases the value of y in the equation y = mλD/d. This change in light source significantly alters the intensity distribution on the screen.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of diffraction patterns and wave behavior
  • Familiarity with the HeNe laser specifications (wavelength = 633nm)
  • Knowledge of the equation y = mλD/d for diffraction calculations
  • Basic concepts of light filtering and wavelength effects
NEXT STEPS
  • Explore the principles of single-slit and double-slit diffraction
  • Investigate the impact of wavelength on diffraction patterns
  • Learn about the characteristics of different light sources, including lasers and incandescent bulbs
  • Study the effects of various optical filters on light properties
USEFUL FOR

Physics students, optical engineers, and educators interested in understanding the principles of light diffraction and the effects of different light sources on diffraction patterns.

planesinspace
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1. The problem
A HeNe laser (wavelength = 633nm) is used to illuminate an opaque plate containing a a specified aperture. The light which passes through the aperture falls on a screen at a distance of 4 m from the aperture plate.

c) The aperture is replaced by two long rectangular slits, each of width 0.050mm and with their centers separated by 0.150mm. Make a third sketch of intensity vs position again with a numerical scale.

d)With the same aperture from c, the laser light source is replaced by a normal electric filament light bulb plus a red filter. Explain what will now be seen on the screen and why it differs from the results with a laser,


Homework Equations


c)I have drawn a wave like with a single slit diffraction, in an envelope with another wave. I used this equation y= m*lamda*D/d
where D = distance to screen and d = distance from centers of slits.

d) y= m*lamda*D/d

The Attempt at a Solution



c)So for y i got 0.01688, so I'm not sure whether to use this as my numerical scale, and whether to draw two separate waves or the wave envelope phenomena i'v seen in my textbook.

d)Due to y= m*lamda*D/d, y is proportional to lamda, so red being the highest wavelength , y will increase and the diffraction pattern will broaden.
 
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planesinspace said:
I have drawn a wave like with a single slit diffraction, in an envelope with another wave. I used this equation y= m*lamda*D/d
where D = distance to screen and d = distance from centers of slits.

I think it's more interested in what you'd see on the screen, not how the wave diffracts..
 
The full question says "make a sketch graph oh the intensity vs position on the screen."
so I am just using those graphs where there are a series of curves / maxima and minima on the x axis.
 

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