Major ideas
(Feb. 5, 2016 This is not yet final. Talk to Dr. Carlson for the guidance on the 2x2's for this experiment.)
1. The wave aspects of light are clearly manifest through the phenomenon of diffraction. A simple analysis of aperture width, optical wavelength, and optical geometry (such as distance from aperture screen to detector) yields a prediction of the location of peaks and valleys of the diffraction pattern. A more careful analysis of the electromagnetic field amplitudes propagating through space - done in two distance regimes (Fresnel or near field and Fraunhofer or far field) - predicts the detailed line shape of the diffraction pattern.
2. Aside from wavelength, other aspects of the light source may effect a diffraction pattern. This includes the light intensity distribution impinging on the aperture and the coherence of the source. The latter - coherence - is a concept that opens a door to much deeper issues in physics.
Major equipment
1.) The workings of CCD detectors.
2.) Lasers.
Data analysis
1.) Data fitting to the curves or Newton’s method.
2.) How to determine the angles of the diffracted light and how to determine them without damaging the CCD.
See the PDF document linked at the bottom of the page.
Vibrations and Waves by A.P. French
Introduction to Modern Optics by Grant R. Fowles