Why Is Huygens Construction Not Used for Double Slit Diffraction?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the use of Huygens construction in explaining diffraction patterns, specifically why it is applied to single slit diffraction but not to double slit diffraction. The consensus is that while the double slit pattern can be viewed as the interference of two single slit patterns, this approach complicates the explanation unnecessarily. Instead, the double slit experiment is better understood through wave interference principles rather than relying solely on Huygens construction.

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SimonB
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A conceptual problem for me anyway!

In the standard texts a Huygens construction is used to explain the diffraction pattern from a single slit. However it is not used in the explanations for double (or multiple slits). What is the justification for this ... the double slit pattern should be two single slit patterns interfering but is that just over complicating things?

Thanks in advance

Simon
 
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