DIFFRACTION

Christine Widya Puspamareta *), Musarrafa, Survita Dewi

Fundamental Physics Laboratory Department of Physics
Faculty of Mathematics and Science
Universitas Negeri Makassar 2016
Abstract. We have done an experiment about "Diffraction" which aims to understand the effect of
the distance between crack at forming a difraction pattern on a double slit, can understand the
effect of slit width on the formation of a diffraction pattern on a double slit, can understand the
influence of many loopholes to the formation of the diffraction pattern, and can determine the
wavelength of the laser. The experiment was conducted by using a slit diaphragm with three
doubles, with four double slit diaphragm, diaphragm with a gap of five numbers, He-Ne laser, the
holder with spring clip, the lens in the frame, f = +5 mm, the lens in the frame, f = +50 mm, the
precision optical bench, four riders optics, a translucent screen, and a saddle base. The initial step
in this experiment is praktikan occupies a dark room that does not allow light in and out. In this
experiment we did 4 activities, the first activity is to determine the dependence of diffraction at a
double slit on the distance between the gap, initially activate the He-Ne laser and then change the
focus on the screen until you reach the focal point of the brightest. After the pair diaphragm with
four double slit one by one starting from the slit with d = 1.00 mm, 0.75 mm, 0.50 mm, and 0.25
mm. Then, after emerging pattern of light and dark on the screen, then the next step is to pair a
paper on the screen right in front of the laser beam and provide pins in the form of vertical streaks
in the middle of the diffracted light reaction. Then measure the distance between the center of the
light with the other centers. After that, do the same steps for activities 2 and 3 activities. And fo
fourth activity we use single slit and slit lots or lattice. The average of wavelength from all
activities, we got

|12 09.7| nm

Keywords: diffraction, double gap, distance between gaps, gap width, lattice, number of gap, and
single gap.

PROBLEM FORMULATION
1
2

How is the effect of distance between gap to the formation of diffraction pattern?
How is the effect of gap width to the formation of diffraction pattern?

3
4

How is the effect of number of gap to the formation of diffraction pattern?

How big is the wavelength of laser in the diffraction experiment using single gap
and lattice?

OBJECTIVES
1
2
3
4

To understand the effect of distance between gap to the formation of diffraction

pattern.
To understand the effect of gap width to the formation of diffraction pattern.
To undertsand the effect of number of gap to the formation of diffraction pattern.
To determine the wavelength of laser in the diffraction experiment using single
gap and lattice.

THEORY
If a wavefront is partially blocked by an obstacle, the unblocked part of the wavefront
bends behind the obstacle. This bending of the wavefronts is called diffraction (Tipler,
2004: 530). Diffraction is the bending of waves around an obstacle or through a slit. Each
very small part of the slit that acts as a source of waves, and light and dark pattern
produced is the result of interference between waves that arise out of these sources. Light
emerging out of the arrangement of the cracks also form a pattern of light and dark, by
measuring the patterns that will allow the determination of the appropriate wavelength of
light (Young, 2002: 616).

Figure 1. Diffraction represented schematically. For a given wavelength

diffraction is more pronounced the smaller the slit width
cases for (a) slit width

, the

a . The figures show the

a = 6.0 , (b) slit width a = 3.0 , and (c) slit width

a = 1.5 . in all three cases, the screen and the length of the slit extend well into
and out of the page, perpendicular to it.
Figure 1a shows the situation schematically for an incident plane wave of
wavelength

encountering a slit that has width a = 6.0 and extends into and out

of the page. The part of the wave that passes through the slit flares out on the far side.
Figures 1b (with a = 3.0 ) and 1c (a = 1.5 ) illustrate the main feature of
diffraction: the narrower the slit, the greater the diffraction (Halliday, Resnick, and
Walker, 2011: 964)..

Diffraction limits geometrical optics, in which we represent an electromagnetic

wave with a ray. If we actually try to form a ray by sending light through a narrow slit, or
through a series of narrow slits, diffraction will always defeat our effort because it always
causes the light to spread. Indeed, the narrower we make the slits (in the hope of
producing a narrower beam), the greater the spreading is.Thus, geometrical optics holds
only when slits or other apertures that might be located in the path of light do not have
dimensions comparable to or smaller than the wavelength of the light (Halliday, Resnick,
and Walker, 2011: 964)..
Diffraction happen if half of wavefront is limited by obstacles or apertures (slit).
The ligth intensity at any point in the room can calculated with using the Huygens
principle by taking of each point on wavefront to become a point source and by
calculating the resulting of interferences pattern. Fraunhofer pattern observed at a great
distance from obstacles or narrow slit so that the rays reach any point almost parallel, or
patterns that can be observed by using a lens to focus parallel rays on the viewing screen
is placed at the focal plane of the lens. Another pattern, ie Fresnel pattern observed at a
point close to the source. Diffraction of light is often difficult to observe because the
wavelength so small or because of insufficient light intensity. Except for a narrow slit
Fraunhofer pattern and length, the diffraction pattern is usually difficult to observe.
(Herman, 2016: 26).
If the light comes from a single slit of width a, the intensity pattern on the screen
much indicates the maximum diffraction vast middle, tapering to zero at an angle that is
given by

a sin =n ...........................................................[1]
the amount of

a sin is the different of track between the beam of light that leaves the

top of the slit and the beam leaving the bottom slit. on each side of the central maximum
there is a secondary maximum intensity is much weaker (Herman, 2016: 24).
The diffraction pattern - two slit Fraunhofer interference same as for two-slit
interference pattern modulated by a narrow slit diffraction patterns single (Herman,
2016: 27).

Figure 2. Schematic illustration of the double-slit diffraction

Noted:
b : width slit , d: slit distance
L : distance between screen and double slit
X2 : the maximum distance from the center
2 : direction of observation for the second maximum
s 2 : main beam path difference
S : screen
At a great distance from the slit, the lines of the second slit to one point P on the
screen will be almost parallel, and the path difference is approximately d sin , as shown
in figure above. Thus obtained the maximum interference at one angle given by
d sin

= m

, m= 1, 2, 3, ........................................[2]

For a very small angle, (which is almost always the case, as previously assumed),
the distance measured along the screen to a bright fringe - m is given by,
ym =

L
d

..................................................................[3]

d is the distance between the slit.

In many slit experiment, use the scratches of a conventional steel ruler as a
reflection grating. The composition of the device shown in the figure, where X is the laser
spot on the screen without grid (bar), Q is the point of an extension of the bar, Po is the
point reflection of the n = 0, dan P 1 , P2 , P3 and so is the point diffraction ray of m = 1,
m = 2, m = 3, and so on (Herman, 2016: 27)..
Based on above principle, can be obtained wavelength of the laser,

Figure 3. Diffraction n many slits

(m)=

( )(
d
2 D2

y m y

2
o

..................................................[4]

where d is the distance between two scratches on steel ruler, that is 1 mm (Herman, 2016:
28).
EXPERIMENT METHODS
1. Equipments List
a. Diaphragm with 3 double slits 469 84 (1)
b. Diaphragm with 4 double slits 469 85 (2)
c. Diaphragm with 5 double slits 469 86 (3)
d. He-Ne laser, linearly polarized 471 830
e. Holder with spring clip 460 22
f. Lens with frame, f = +5 mm 460 01
g. Lens with frame, f = +50 mm 460 02
h. 1 precision of optical bench, 1m 460 32
i. 4 optical rider(?), H = 60 mm / B = 36 mm 460 370
j. 1 translucent screen 441 53
k. 1 saddle base
2. Variable Identification
Activity 1: The effect of distance between slits d to the formation of diffraction on double
slits
a. Controlled variable
: slit distance to screen (cm) and slit width (mm).
b. Manipulation variable
: distance between slit d (mm).
c. Response variable
: average distance of contiguous maximum diffraction
pattern (mm).
Activity 2: The effect of the width of slit b to the formation of diffraction on double slits

a. Controlled variable

: slit distance to screen (cm) and distance between slit

(mm).
b. Manipulation variable
: slit width b (mm).
c. Response variable
: average distance of contiguous maximum diffraction
pattern (mm).
Activity 3: The effect of the number of slit b to the formation of diffraction on double slits
a. Controlled variable
: slit distance to screen (cm) and slit width (mm).
b. Manipulation variable
: number of slits N (mm)
c. Response variable
: average distance of contiguous maximum diffraction
pattern (mm).
Activity 4: Diffraction on single slit and lattice
a. Controlled variable
: slit distance to screen (cm).
b. Manipulation variable
: the type of slits
c. Response variable
: average distance of diffraction pattern from bright
center to order to-n (mm).
3. Variable Operational Definition
Activity 1: The effect of distance between slits d to the formation of diffraction on double
slits
a. Controlled variable
: Slit distance to screen is distance that separate between
slit with screen and measured using gauge with the unit is
cm. Slit width is width in slit that had been given in the
unit is mm.
b. Manipulation variable
: Distance between slit d is distance between one slit
with other slit that had been given in the unit is mm.
c. Response variable
: Average distance of contiguous maximum diffraction
pattern is average distance that measured when the
diffraction pattern was form with the unit is mm.
Activity 2: The effect of the width of slit b to the formation of diffraction on double slits
a. Controlled variable
: Slit distance to screen is distance that separate between
slit with screen and measured using gauge with the unit is
cm. Distance between slit d is distance between one slit
with other slit that had been given in the unit is mm.
b. Manipulation variable
: Slit width b is width in slit that had been given in the
unit is mm.
c. Response variable
: Average distance of contiguous maximum diffraction
pattern is average distance that measured when the
diffraction pattern was form with the unit is mm.
Activity 3: The effect of the number of slit b to the formation of diffraction on double slits
a. Controlled variable
: Slit distance to screen is distance that separate between
slit with screen and measured using gauge with the unit is
cm. Slit width is width in slit that had been given in the
unit is mm.

b. Manipulation variable

: Number of slits N is the number of slits that are used in

the same diaphragm, where there are many loopholes in
the slit diaphragm with the unit is mm.
c. Response variable
: Average distance of contiguous maximum diffraction
pattern is average distance that measured when the
diffraction pattern was form with the unit is mm.
Activity 4: Diffraction on single slit and lattice
a. Controlled variable
: Slit distance to screen is distance that separate between
slit with screen and measured using gauge with the unit is
cm.
b. Manipulation variable
: The type of slits is the slits type that used are single slit
and lattice.
c. Response variable
: Average distance of diffraction pattern from bright
center to order to-n (mm) is the average distance that
measured from brigth center to order to-n in each of left
and rigth side which using gauge with the unit is mm.
4. Prosedure

Figure 4. The pitcure of work procedures for diffraction experiment.

First the slit was placed in front of He-Ne laser source as in the image below. After that
the position of L2 was set so that the laser beam precisely focused on the screen. Then the
distance between the slit and the screen was recorded.
Noted :
L1 : lens f = +5 mm
L2 : lens f = +50 mm

H: holder for diffraction objects

S : screen

First Activity. The dependence of double slit diffraction to distance between slit d
First the diaphragm with four slit (469 85) was inserted right in the path of a laser,
and the diffraction pattern in double slit were observed with distance between slit d =
1.00 mm, 0.75 mm, 0.50 mm, 0.25 mm one by one. Then measured of each distance d to
understand the effect of the distance between the slit in interference pattern. The
formation of the diffraction pattern on the screen was drew with the marking pattern was
formed. And the last, noted the distance separating the bright center to the next light
(Order 1, 2 and so on).

Second Activity. The dependence of double slit diffraction to slit width slit b
First the diaphragm with three double slit (469 84) was inserted right in the path of a
laser, and the diffraction pattern in double slit were observed for various slit width b =
0.20 mm, 0.15 mm, 0.10 mm, one by one . Then measured of each width slit b to
understand the effect of the slit width in interference pattern. The formation of the
diffraction pattern on the screen was drew with the marking pattern is formed. And the
last noted the distance separating the bright center to the next light (Order 1, 2 and so on).
Third Activity. The dependence of diffraction to the slits number (N)
First the diaphragm with five slit (469 86) was inserted right in the path of a laser and
the diffraction pattern of 2, 3, 4, 5, and 40 slit were observed one by one. Then measured
of each the slits number distance to understand the effect of slit number to the
interference pattern. The formation of the diffraction pattern on the screen was drew with
the marking pattern is formed. And the last noted the distance separating the bright center
to the next light (Order 1, 2 and so on).
Fourth Activity. Diffraction in single slit and lattice
First used a single slit and lattice then forms a diffraction pattern on the screen. Then
the formation of the diffraction pattern on the screen was drew with the marking pattern is
formed. And the last measured the distance of separating the bright center to the next
light (Order 1, 2 and so on), that result was noted in observation table.

RESULT OF EXPERIMENT AND DATA ANALISYS

Result of Experiment
1

Activity 1
Distance slit to the screen (L) : 410.00 0.05 cm
Slit width (b)

: 0.20 mm

Table 1. the double slit diffraction pattern for some gap width (d).
No
.

The average distance between the

Distance between the slit d (mm)

adjacent maximum diffraction pattern

(mm)

1.

|1.00 0.50|

10.2 0.5

2.

|0.75 0.50|

5.2 0.5

3.

|0.50 0.50|

3.4 0.5

4.

|0.25 0.50|

2.7 0.5

Activity 2
Distance slit to the screen (L) : 410.00 0.05mm
Distance between the slit

: 0.25 mm

Table 2. dependence on a double slit diffration for some gap width (b).
No
.

Width slit b (mm)

adjacent maximum diffraction pattern

(mm)

1.

|0.20 0.50|

10.4 0.5

2.

|0.15 0.50|

10.4 0.5

3.

|0.10 0.50|

10.4 0.5

Activity 3
Distance slit to the screen (L) : 0.25 mm
Width gap
: 0.20 mm
Table 3. Diffraction patterns in a number of loopholes.
No
.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

The average distance between the

The average distance between the

Many loopholes N (mm)

adjacent maximum diffraction pattern

2
3
4
5
40

(mm)
10.6 0.5
6.2 0.5
4.0 0.5
2.7 0.5
10.3 0.5

Activity 4
Distance between slit to the screen (L) : 410.00 0.05mm

Table 4. diffraction at single slit and grating

Nu.

Type of
loopholes

The average distance from the bright center of

the diffraction pattern to order to-n (mm)

|3.0 0.5|

Order I

Order II

|3.0 0.5|

Order III

|3.0 0.5|

Order IV

|2.0 0.5|

Order I

|260.0 0.5|

Order II

|262.5 0.5|

Order III

|266.7 0.5|

Single slit

2
3

Slit lots/lattice

CONCLUSSION

From the experiment we can conclude that the diffraction pattern is so

dependence with distance of slit, width of slit, and a lot of slit. Smaller apart between slit
hence is ever greater of distance between bold patterns which formed width of slit is
directly proportional with diffraction pattern. And a lot slit hence is ever greater of
distance between bold dark pattern which formed. Do determine the wavelength oh HeNe beam could be used equation =

yd
L

REFERENCE
Halliday, David, Robert Resnik and Jearl Walker. 2011. Fundamental of Physics 9th
Edition. New York : John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Herman, et al. 2016. Penuntun Praktikum Fisika Dasar 2. Makassar: Unit Laboratorium
Fisika Dasar Jurusan Fisika UNM.
Tipler, Paul A. 2008. Physics For Scientits And Engineers. New York: W.H. Freernan
And Company.

Young, Hugh D. 2002. Fisika Universitas Edisi 10 Jilid 1. Jakarta: Erlangga.