Difraktsioon

Difraktsioon, also spelled diffraction, is a phenomenon that occurs when a wave encounters an obstacle or a slit that is comparable in size to its wavelength. This results in the wave spreading out and bending around the edges of the obstacle or slit. The most common examples of diffraction are observed with light waves, but it also applies to other types of waves, such as sound and water waves.

The principle of diffraction was first described by Francesco Maria Grimaldi in the 17th century, and later explained by Thomas Young and Augustin-Jean Fresnel in the early 19th century. The mathematical treatment of diffraction is based on the wave theory of light, which describes light as a wave rather than a particle.

There are two main types of diffraction: Fresnel diffraction and Fraunhofer diffraction. Fresnel diffraction occurs when the source and the screen are close to the diffracting object, while Fraunhofer diffraction occurs when the source and the screen are far from the diffracting object. In both cases, the diffraction pattern is characterized by a central maximum and a series of secondary maxima and minima.

Diffraction has numerous practical applications, including the design of optical instruments such as microscopes and telescopes, the development of diffraction gratings for spectroscopy, and the creation of holograms. It also plays a crucial role in the behavior of waves in various fields, such as acoustics, seismology, and quantum mechanics.