Physics & Astronomy

Interference and Diffraction

Purpose
To demonstrate visually the interference pattern formed when a coherent (laser) light beam passes through two slits (top, right photo) and the diffraction pattern formed when it passes through a single, narrow slit (bottom, left photo)
Location
Room 146, optical bench on wall shelf V4; green diode laser, shelf P3; Pasco single slit and double slit set, shelf K5
Description
These demos can be set up on the front desk, using a Pasco optical bench propped up by a book, to create visible patterns on the pull-down screen (top, left photo). You can adjust both the slit set positions (rotations) and the diode laser direction (screw adjustments on rear) after mounting them into the channel of the optical bench.