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Diffraction grating is an optical component with a periodic structure that splits and diffracts light into several beams traveling in different directions. The periodic structure is ruled onto a substrate, typically made of glass or plastic, and can be created by mechanical ruling, holographic exposure, or etching techniques. The most common type of diffraction grating is the transmission grating, which is designed to transmit light and diffract it into multiple orders. Reflection gratings, on the other hand, are designed to reflect light and diffract it into multiple orders.

The performance of a diffraction grating is characterized by its groove density, which is the number of grooves per unit length, and its blaze angle, which is the angle at which the grating is designed to diffract light most efficiently. The groove density determines the angular separation between the diffracted orders, while the blaze angle determines the wavelength range over which the grating is most efficient.

Diffraction gratings are widely used in various applications, including spectroscopy, where they are used to disperse light into its constituent wavelengths, and in laser systems, where they are used to select specific wavelengths. They are also used in optical communications, imaging systems, and astronomical instruments. The ability of diffraction gratings to split and diffract light into multiple orders makes them a versatile and essential component in many optical systems.