Single Slit Diffraction
The single-slit diffraction pattern: a central maximum with much weaker side maxima, on a constant background. Use it for light intensity measured across the diffraction pattern of one slit.
Fit the example dataStart with your own data
Example: simulated light intensity across a 0.1 mm single-slit pattern, 81 points with x and y uncertainties, opened as a new copy you can edit.
Parameters
- Intensity at the center of the pattern, above the background.
- Width parameter: the first zeros are at x₀ ± π/k. Reported as positive.
- Center of the pattern.
- Constant background.
Tips
- Here sinc(u) = sin(u)/u.
- For small angles, with x the position on a screen a distance L from the slit, k = πa/(λL), where a is the slit width and λ the wavelength.
- Starting values come from the data. If the fit settles on a side maximum, enter guesses: x₀ at the center, and k ≈ π divided by the distance from the center to the first zero.
- This is Two Slit Interference with k₂ = 0.