All Questions
22
questions
0
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2
answers
56
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Why is the shorter the wavelength, the smaller the object you can image? and vice-versa?
I know that the shorter the wavelength the smaller the object you can image clearly. Why wavelength matters in imaging something? How having big wavelength wont let u image smaller object, like if u ...
0
votes
0
answers
42
views
Why Do Harmonic Components Define Wavelength in Diffraction and Interference Phenomena?
I'm exploring the physical principles underlying diffraction and interference, specifically how these phenomena depend on the wavelength of harmonic (sinusoidal) components of a wave. My question ...
- 85
13
votes
2
answers
183
views
DIY Spectrophotometer doesn't work properly in the IR range
I've built an optical spectrometer by following the instruction given on the Theremino website: Theremino_Spectrometer_Construction.pdf, but I'm having a little issue with it.
Everything works ...
- 321
2
votes
1
answer
110
views
Photon though a single-slit and uncertainty in the $z$- (longitudinal) direction
Heisenberg's uncertainty principle is sometimes invoked in explaining the width of the diffraction pattern as light passes a single slit. In the case of single photons, when a photon is directed ...
- 8,640
1
vote
3
answers
9k
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Where does the 1.22 come from in Rayleigh criterion for circular apertures?
For the formula 1.22, $\lambda/b$, which describes the angle at which resolution occurs, where does the 1.22 come from? I have looked at the derivation and there doesn't seem to be any explanation?
- 124
0
votes
1
answer
165
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Will there be any diffraction if the gap width is smaller than the wavelength?
As the diffraction will be the largest when the wavelength is equal to the gap width, I wondered if there would be any diffraction if the gap width is smaller than the wavelength, and If there is, why ...
- 1
1
vote
3
answers
1k
views
When is diffraction most pronounced?
My notes says the following things about diffraction:
The larger the ratio of wavelength to slit (or object) width, the more pronounced the diffraction is and the more spread out the wave energy is. ...
- 372
4
votes
1
answer
950
views
How Small a Slit can Light Pass through?
If you imagine light source passing through a single slit of variable thickness, as you lower the thickness of the slit the light will diffract more and more until the slit is small enough that no ...
- 535
1
vote
2
answers
274
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Maximum resolution of lens with infinite aperture
Because the resolution of an objective is limited by the diffraction of its circular aperture, I don't understand why an infinite lens can not have an infinitely good resolution power.
People use Abbe ...
- 23
0
votes
1
answer
883
views
The maximum wavelength obtainable from a diffraction grating
I am trying to understand what exactly is meant by the following question:
What is the maximum wavelength that can be obtained with a given diffraction grating in (a) the first order (b) the second ...
- 17
1
vote
3
answers
1k
views
Why is the next minimum $\lambda$ from central maximum in the derivation of the Rayleigh criterion for a diffraction grating?
I am struggling to understand part of the derivation for the Rayleigh criterion, which states that
"Two images are just resolvable when the center of the diffraction pattern of one is directly over ...
- 2,470
0
votes
1
answer
3k
views
Diffraction grating angle
Why have they taken the angle to be 90 degrees?
And why have they used only one of the wavelengths provided?
can you explain in layman terms?
user204223
0
votes
3
answers
183
views
Do waves of light overlap?
Hopefully I can phrase this question so that it can be understood and not appear to be entirely uneducated.
From what I understand when light hits an object it reflects that light toward you. Let's ...
2
votes
1
answer
398
views
Resolving power question
Imagine you have a flat piece of glass as a lens so the focal length is infinity since in the formula$$
\frac{1}{f}~=~\left(n-1\right)\left(\frac{1}{R_1}-\frac{1}{R_2}\right)
\,,$$where $R_1 \to \...
- 21
1
vote
1
answer
334
views
Diffraction limit of light
What is the diffraction limit of light? I see the following explanation in many papers on plasmonics:
Light can be focused to dimensions no smaller than roughly half the wavelength
What is the ...
- 61