Two slit experiment with different sized slits

In summary, when the two slit experiment is performed with one slit half the width, or 1% or 0.1% the width, of the other, the interference pattern is affected by having less contrast. This means that the peaks will be lower and the valleys will be higher. This effect can be understood intuitively and is supported by calculations. The use of two slits of different widths may result in a pattern that is intermediate between single slit diffraction and double slit diffraction.
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TL;DR Summary
How does performing the two slit experiment with different sized slits affect the interference pattern?
If the two slit experiment is performed with one slit half the width -- or 1% or 0.1% the width -- of the other, how is the interference pattern affected.
 
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Thanks for the link to thee very nice site. Good graphics and descriptions. Intuitively, if anything in QM can be said to be intuitive, it does make sense that there would be less contrast. I don't know the math, but I wonder if using two slits of different widths would result in a pattern intermediate between single slit diffraction and double slit diffraction.
 

1. What is the two slit experiment with different sized slits?

The two slit experiment with different sized slits is a famous physics experiment that demonstrates the wave-like behavior of particles, specifically light. It involves shining a beam of light through two parallel slits and observing the resulting interference pattern on a screen. The difference between this experiment and the traditional two slit experiment is that the two slits have different widths, resulting in a more complex interference pattern.

2. How does the interference pattern change with different sized slits?

The interference pattern in the two slit experiment with different sized slits is more complex compared to the traditional two slit experiment. The pattern will have multiple smaller fringes within the larger fringes, creating a more intricate pattern. This is due to the different sized slits allowing for more paths for the light to travel through, resulting in more interference.

3. What does the two slit experiment with different sized slits tell us about the nature of light?

The two slit experiment with different sized slits shows that light behaves like a wave, as it creates an interference pattern on the screen. This indicates that light has a wave-like nature, rather than just being a stream of particles. It also demonstrates the principle of superposition, where multiple waves can overlap and interfere with each other.

4. Can the two slit experiment with different sized slits be done with other types of particles?

Yes, the two slit experiment with different sized slits can be done with other types of particles, such as electrons and even larger molecules. This further supports the idea that all particles, regardless of their size, have a wave-like nature and can exhibit interference patterns.

5. What are the practical applications of the two slit experiment with different sized slits?

The two slit experiment with different sized slits has practical applications in various fields, such as optics, quantum mechanics, and even biology. It has helped scientists better understand the wave-particle duality of light and other particles, and has also been used to improve technologies such as electron microscopy and diffraction gratings.

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