Enkeltslit

Enkeltslit is a term found in some Nordic-language texts that literally translates to "single slit." It is not a standard term in major reference works, and its precise meaning depends on context. In many cases the more common form for the concept is "single slit" or "enkelt spalt" in Swedish, and similar variants in other languages; "enkeltslit" may appear as a regional spelling, a transliteration artifact, or an informal usage.

In optics, if used to denote a single slit, the phenomenon is single-slit diffraction. Light passing through a narrow opening of width a forms an intensity pattern on a screen consisting of a central bright region flanked by progressively fainter maxima and minima. The angular positions of the minima satisfy a sin θ = m λ, where λ is the wavelength, a is the slit width, and m is an integer (m ≠ 0). The amplitude distribution is described by the square of a sinc function. The pattern's details depend on the slit width relative to the wavelength and the geometry of observation.

Usage notes: When encountering "enkeltslit," consult the surrounding terms to determine whether it refers to an optical single slit, a physical opening in a device, or a figurative notion. In formal contexts, prefer the established terms for clarity.

See also: single slit, diffraction, slit (optics).