# Path difference

In a double slit, when the distance between the screen is NOT small (i.e. the rays r1 and r2 are not parallel) how is path length determined?

Thanks

So the distance from the slits to the screen is not small? That is the usual case in books, and in that case r1 and r2 are parallel! So you'd drop a perpendicular, and calculate the excess path that one of the rays takes.

If the screen is not infinite away from the slits but still far away, and assuming that the point on the screen that you want to calculate the intensity is above the top slit, then you'd still drop a perpendicular and calculate the excess path which would be d*sin(theta), but also in addition there'll be a term [d*cos(theta)]^2/(2r1), for a total difference in length of path:

$$dsin(\theta)+\frac{(dcos(\theta))^2}{2r_1}$$

where d is the distance between slits, theta is the angle to the screen from the top slit, and r_1 is the distance to the point on the screen from the slits.

At least I think this is right. My geometry is not so good, as are my skills at keeping track what order approximations I'm using (I also have trouble with significant figures).