Thursday 23 November 2017

Diffraction through the net curtain

The diffraction pattern from the neighbour's light was really clear through the net curtain this morning. I'm always amazed by how well net does diffract light. The cross shape is because there are horizontal slits in the net which diffract vertically and vertical slits which diffract horizontally.
I was struck by these things:
1. The bit minimum outside the central cross. There were lesser minima visible to the naked eye beyond.
2. I'm wondering why the central section is also slightly split. I suppose that the diffraction pattern is usually overlaid by an intensity pattern dictated by the single slit. Maybe that effect is just very pronounced here.
3. The colour split is very noticeable. Violet closest to the middle and red further out.