photo credit: UMASS-Amherst Physics Lecture Support

Diffraction Around a Pinhead

This photo (hi-res version) shows light diffracting around a pinhead (see experimental setup). Note the spot of light in the center of the pattern-- it's called Poisson's spot, and it shows unmistakably that light bent around the pinhead. For more on diffraction, see this Wikipedia entry.

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Diffraction

Try this Exploratorium Diffraction activity to demonstrate the wave nature of light by observing diffraction.  You'll need two pencils and a Mini-Maglite®.

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image credit: Paul A. Midgley, University of Cambridge

Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy Image Gallery

This false-color image (hi-res version) shows a diffraction pattern made when a beam of electrons struck a target of lanthanum aluminate. Neutrons, diffract, as do x-rays, and visible light (see Physics in Your World).  These phenomena illustrate the wave-particle duality.

This feature was updated on July 6, 2009.

More on Diffraction

Here's more on diffraction:

• Single-slit diffraction & double-slit interference from Rutgers University
• Diffraction of sound from Hyperphysics
• Diffraction of water waves--see Physics in Your World archives, February 1, 2007