diffraction
Light bends around
Diffraction is the bending or spreading of waves—light, sound, water—when they encounter an obstacle or pass through an opening.
The effect becomes noticeable when the obstacle or gap is comparable in size to the wavelength.
Diffraction explains why you can hear someone around a corner, and why light passing through a narrow slit produces bands rather than a sharp line.
A diffraction grating uses many parallel slits to separate light into its component wavelengths.
Crossed bars or harsh
- slitNarrow elongated opening
- apertureAdjustable optical inlet
- FresnelStepped-groove lens design
- HuygensSeventeenth-century Dutch astronomer
edge · beam · monochromatic · coherent · laser · light · wavelength · angular
Audible wave phenomenon
- echoReflected sound wave
- scatteringDistribution in many directions
- propagationAct of spreading widely
- wavelengthSpatial repetition interval
obstacle · bending · transmission · impedance · sonar · ultrasound · aperture · frequency
Penetrating diagnostic beam
- electronNegative subatomic particle
- neutronUncharged nuclear particle
- powderFine dry particles
- latticeOpenwork of crossed strips
crystal structure · polycrystalline · amorphous · symmetry · molecular structure
Coexisting in multiple states
- constructivePromoting positive development
- destructiveCausing severe harm
- phase shiftChange in wave timing
- fringesOuter edges or tassels
coherence · thin-film · nodes · standing wave · dark bands
Crossed bars or harsh
- dispersionScattering across space
- wavelengthsPeak-to-peak distances in waves
- spectral linesDiscrete wavelength emission patterns
- bandsMusical performing groups
colors · monochromatic · spectrograph · spectrophotometer · prism · rainbow · chromatic · resolution
3D image from light
- laserConcentrated light device
- reconstructionRebuilding after destruction
- interference patternOverlapping waves' visible result
- phaseDistinct period in sequence
recording · coherent light · three-dimensional · image · wavefront · photographic plate · replay
grating
Crossed bars or harsh
Huygens · edge · beam · monochromatic · coherent · laser · light · wavelength · angular · resolution
sound
Audible wave phenomenon
- echoReflected sound wave
- scatteringDistribution in many directions
- propagationAct of spreading widely
wavelength · obstacle · bending · transmission · impedance · sonar · ultrasound · aperture · frequency · bass
X-ray
Penetrating diagnostic beam
lattice · crystal structure · polycrystalline · amorphous · symmetry · molecular structure
superposition
Coexisting in multiple states
- constructivePromoting positive development
- destructiveCausing severe harm
- phase shiftChange in wave timing
fringes · coherence · thin-film · nodes · standing wave · dark bands
grating
Crossed bars or harsh
- dispersionScattering across space
- wavelengthsPeak-to-peak distances in waves
- spectral linesDiscrete wavelength emission patterns
bands · colors · monochromatic · spectrograph · spectrophotometer · prism · rainbow · chromatic · resolution · emission
hologram
3D image from light
- laserConcentrated light device
- reconstructionRebuilding after destruction
- interference patternOverlapping waves' visible result
phase · recording · coherent light · three-dimensional · image · wavefront · photographic plate · replay
- crystallographycrystal structure, crystal systems, crystal growth, dislocations, crystallization
- soundsound, sound waves, echoes, acoustics, vibrations
- Light & Colorhue, shade, tint, brightness, saturation
- physical phenomenadiffusion, collision, friction, explosion, surface tension
- light effectsshine, glow, gleam, shimmer, glitter
- light phenomenarainbow, refraction, spectrum, prism, iridescence
diffractionreflection
Returned light or thought
refraction · transmission · absorption · specular reflection · collimation
- electron diffractionCharged particles bent by crystals
- Fresnel diffractionLight bending near obstacles