Diffraction Grating: Introduction, Equation and Purpose

Introduction

A diffraction grating is a glass plate having numerous close parallel equidistant slits mechanically ruled on it. The transparent spacing between the scratches on the glass plate act as slits.

A typical diffraction grating has about 400 to 5000 lines per centimeter.

A diffraction grating is an optical component that divides(spreads) light composed of lots of different wavelengths(e.g., white light) into light parts by wavelength. When white light goes into the grating, the light components are diffracted at angles that are identified by the corresponding wavelengths(diffraction).

Selecting diffracted light makes it feasible to select the needed component of light. The light from all the slits is reinforced similarly to produce “diffracted light.”

Diffraction-Grating-2

Considering that light is an electromagnetic wave, its wavefront is altered similar to a wave experiencing an obstacle. This diffraction phenomenon happens due to disturbance between different sections of the wavefront.

The resulting distribution is called a diffraction pattern. Likewise, when light passes through an opaque screen consisting of several extended apertures (or slits) with spacing in between them, the emerging wavefronts constructively interfere to generate a diffraction pattern with strengths peaked in certain directions.

A diffraction grating is essentially a multi-slit surface. It offers angular diffusion, i.e., the ability to different wavelengths based on the angle that they emerge from the grating.

Gratings can be transmissive, like the multi-slit aperture, but they can likewise be reflective where the grooved surface is overcoated with a reflecting material such as aluminum.

The Grating Equation

Explanation
Zero-order image

According to this equation, when  = 0, along the direction of normal to the grating, the path difference between the rays coming out from the slits of the grating will be zero. So, this will give a bright image in this direction.

Zero-order-image

First-order image

If we increase on either side of the direction, a value of will be attained at which d sin will be equal to and the bright image will obtain. This is called the first-order image of the grating.

Similarly, on increasing, we will obtain second, third, and so on images on either side of the zero-order image with dark regions in between.

In the equation,

n = 0 +-1, +-2, +-3, etc.

however, if the incident light contains different wavelengths, the image of each wavelength for a certain value of n is diffracted in a different direction.

Purpose of Diffraction Grating

When there is a need to separate light of various wavelengths with high resolution, that a diffraction grating is most often the tool of choice. This “super prism” facet of the diffraction grating results in an application for determining atomic spectra in both laboratory instruments and telescopes.

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MCQs:

  • What is a diffraction grating primarily composed of?
    • A) Metal plates
    • B) Parallel equidistant slits ruled on a glass plate
    • C) Opaque screens
    • D) Reflective coatings
    • Answer: B) Parallel equidistant slits ruled on a glass plate
  • Approximately how many lines per centimeter does a typical diffraction grating have?
    • A) 100 to 200 lines
    • B) 2000 to 3000 lines
    • C) 400 to 5000 lines
    • D) 6000 to 7000 lines
    • Answer: C) 400 to 5000 lines
  • What is the purpose of a diffraction grating?
    • A) To absorb light
    • B) To produce rainbow colors
    • C) To spread light into its component wavelengths
    • D) To focus light into a single point
    • Answer: C) To spread light into its component wavelengths
  • What phenomenon occurs when light passes through a diffraction grating?
    • A) Reflection
    • B) Absorption
    • C) Diffraction
    • D) Refraction
    • Answer: C) Diffraction
  • What type of interference generates a diffraction pattern when light passes through a diffraction grating?
    • A) Constructive
    • B) Destructive
    • C) Transmissive
    • D) Reflective
    • Answer: A) Constructive
  • In the grating equation, what does ‘d’ represent?
    • A) Distance between slits
    • B) Wavelength of light
    • C) Angle of diffraction
    • D) Path difference between rays from slits
    • Answer: A) Distance between slits
  • When the angle of incidence is zero in the grating equation, what type of image is obtained?
    • A) Bright image
    • B) Dark image
    • C) Inverted image
    • D) Focused image
    • Answer: A) Bright image
  • What is the term used to describe the image obtained when the angle of incidence is increased on either side in the grating equation?
    • A) Zero-order image
    • B) First-order image
    • C) Second-order image
    • D) Third-order image
    • Answer: B) First-order image
  • In the grating equation, what does ‘n’ represent?
    • A) Wavelength of light
    • B) Angle of incidence
    • C) Order of diffraction
    • D) Index of refraction
    • Answer: C) Order of diffraction
  • What happens to the diffraction pattern when different wavelengths of light are incident on the diffraction grating?
    • A) They merge into a single direction
    • B) They cancel each other out
    • C) Each wavelength is diffracted in a different direction
    • D) They form concentric circles
    • Answer: C) Each wavelength is diffracted in a different direction
  • What characteristic of diffraction gratings makes them useful for separating light of various wavelengths with high resolution?
    • A) Angular diffusion
    • B) Reflective coatings
    • C) Absorption properties
    • D) Refractive indices
    • Answer: A) Angular diffusion
  • Which type of diffraction grating is coated with a reflecting material like aluminum?
    • A) Transmissive grating
    • B) Reflective grating
    • C) Absorptive grating
    • D) Refractive grating
    • Answer: B) Reflective grating
  • What application is most often associated with the use of diffraction gratings?
    • A) Generating laser beams
    • B) Producing rainbows
    • C) Determining atomic spectra
    • D) Magnifying images
    • Answer: C) Determining atomic spectra
  • In the grating equation, what does ‘θ’ represent?
    • A) Path difference between rays from slits
    • B) Wavelength of light
    • C) Distance between slits
    • D) Angle of diffraction
    • Answer: D) Angle of diffraction
  • Which property of diffraction gratings makes them act like a “super prism”?
    • A) Ability to absorb light
    • B) Ability to reflect light
    • C) Ability to spread light into its component wavelengths
    • D) Ability to focus light into a single point
    • Answer: C) Ability to spread light into its component wavelengths
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FAQs Related to Diffraction Grating:

1. What is a diffraction grating?

  • A diffraction grating is an optical component consisting of numerous closely spaced parallel slits ruled on a glass plate. These slits act as transparent apertures through which light passes and undergoes diffraction.

2. How many lines per centimeter does a typical diffraction grating have?

  • A typical diffraction grating has approximately 400 to 5000 lines per centimeter.

3. How does a diffraction grating work?

  • A diffraction grating divides light composed of different wavelengths into its constituent parts by wavelength. When white light enters the grating, it is diffracted at angles corresponding to the wavelengths present, allowing for the selection of specific components of light.

4. What is the diffraction pattern produced by a diffraction grating?

  • The diffraction pattern is a distribution of light resulting from the interference of wavefronts passing through the slits of the grating. It consists of bright and dark regions, with strengths peaked in certain directions corresponding to specific angles of diffraction.

5. What is the purpose of a diffraction grating?

  • The primary purpose of a diffraction grating is to separate light of various wavelengths with high resolution. This property, often referred to as its “super prism” capability, makes it valuable for applications such as determining atomic spectra in laboratory instruments and telescopes.

6. What is the significance of the zero-order image in diffraction gratings?

  • The zero-order image occurs when the angle of diffraction (θ) is zero, resulting in a bright image along the normal direction to the grating. This serves as a reference point for higher-order images.

7. How are higher-order images formed in diffraction gratings?

  • Higher-order images, such as the first-order image, occur when the angle of diffraction deviates from zero. These images appear on either side of the zero-order image, with dark regions in between, as determined by the grating equation for different values of the diffraction order (n).

8. Can diffraction gratings be transmissive and reflective?

  • Yes, diffraction gratings can be either transmissive, where light passes through the slits, or reflective, where the grooved surface is coated with a reflecting material such as aluminum.

9. How does a diffraction grating facilitate angular diffusion?

  • A diffraction grating spreads light into its component wavelengths based on the angle at which they emerge from the grating. This property, known as angular diffusion, allows for the separation and selection of specific wavelengths of light.

 

 

Summary:

In conclusion, a diffraction grating serves as a crucial optical component capable of separating light into its constituent wavelengths with high resolution. By utilizing parallel equidistant slits ruled on a glass plate, it allows for the dispersion of light based on wavelength, enabling the selection of specific components of light.

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The diffraction phenomenon, resulting from the interference of wavefronts passing through the slits, generates a characteristic diffraction pattern. The grating equation provides a mathematical framework for understanding the relationship between the angle of diffraction, wavelength of light, distance between slits, and diffraction order.

With applications ranging from determining atomic spectra to scientific instrumentation, diffraction gratings offer unparalleled capabilities in manipulating light for various purposes. Whether transmissive or reflective, diffraction gratings provide angular diffusion, facilitating the separation of wavelengths based on the angle at which they emerge.

Overall, diffraction gratings play a fundamental role in advancing optical technologies and scientific discoveries.