Wavefront and point-like obstacle

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In summary, a wavefront is an imaginary surface that represents points in a wave that are in the same phase or position at a given time. When a wavefront encounters a point-like obstacle, it will bend around it and create a new circular wavefront through diffraction. Wavefronts differ from rays in that they represent the position of points in a wave while rays represent the direction of the wave's propagation. The size of a point-like obstacle affects the diffraction of the wavefront, with smaller obstacles causing more diffraction and larger obstacles causing less. Multiple point-like obstacles can interact with wavefronts, resulting in complex diffraction patterns.
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Talker1500
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After reading about the diffraction and the multiple slits experiment, I've been wondering about what would happen if instead of slits, there were point-like obstacles (i.e., atoms). Using a plane wavefront and a finite number of obstacles, how would the light interact with this system?
 
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You would need to work out the transmission function of the aperture/array. The diffraction pattern at the far-field (Fraunhofer diffraction pattern) will be the Fourier transform of this transmission function.

Claude.
 

1. What is a wavefront?

A wavefront is an imaginary surface that represents points in a wave that are in the same phase or position at a given time. It is used to visualize the propagation of a wave through space.

2. How do wavefronts interact with point-like obstacles?

When a wavefront encounters a point-like obstacle, it will bend around it and create a new wavefront that is circular in shape. This is known as diffraction.

3. What is the difference between a wavefront and a ray?

A wavefront represents the position of points in a wave at a specific time, while a ray represents the direction of the wave's propagation. Wavefronts are used to visualize the behavior of waves, while rays are used to determine the path of the wave.

4. How does the size of a point-like obstacle affect the wavefront?

The size of a point-like obstacle will affect the diffraction of the wavefront. A smaller obstacle will cause the wavefront to diffract more, creating a wider circular shape, while a larger obstacle will cause less diffraction and a smaller circular shape.

5. Can wavefronts interact with multiple point-like obstacles?

Yes, wavefronts can interact with multiple point-like obstacles, causing complex diffraction patterns. The resulting wavefront will be a combination of the diffraction patterns created by each individual obstacle.

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