Graphical Approach to Multi-slit Interference Analysis
written by
Patricia Allen
When Young's double-slit experiment is conducted in undergraduate lab courses, wavelength or slit spacing is commonly calculated using Young's relation. For multi-slit gratings of 500 lines/mm, or more, few orders of interference fringes are observed, generating inaccurate and imprecise results. Here the author suggests alternate data acquisition and analysis techniques. By graphing average distance xavg from the 0th order to 1st order fringe as a function of distance from grating to screen L a linear relationship can be obtained, with the slope related to wavelength/slit spacing. With some algebra, accurate (within 1%) and precise results can be obtained. The experimental set-up used at Appalachian State University will be presented, along with sample student results, including error propagation calculations utilized during a sophomore/junior lab "intermediate" lab course (precursor to capstone lab experience).
2018 Conference on Laboratory Instruction Beyond the First Year of College
Part of the BFY Conference series
Baltimore, MD: July 25-27, 2018
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<a href="https://advlabs.aapt.org/items/detail.cfm?ID=14958">Allen, Patricia. "Graphical Approach to Multi-slit Interference Analysis." Paper presented at the 2018 Conference on Laboratory Instruction Beyond the First Year of College, Baltimore, MD, July 25-27, 2018.</a>
P. Allen, , presented at the 2018 Conference on Laboratory Instruction Beyond the First Year of College, Baltimore, MD, 2018, WWW Document, (https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=14958&DocID=5018).
P. Allen, Graphical Approach to Multi-slit Interference Analysis, presented at the 2018 Conference on Laboratory Instruction Beyond the First Year of College, Baltimore, MD, 2018, <https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=14958&DocID=5018>.
Allen, P. (2018, July 25-27). Graphical Approach to Multi-slit Interference Analysis. Paper presented at 2018 Conference on Laboratory Instruction Beyond the First Year of College, Baltimore, MD. Retrieved January 24, 2025, from https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=14958&DocID=5018
Allen, Patricia. "Graphical Approach to Multi-slit Interference Analysis." Paper presented at the 2018 Conference on Laboratory Instruction Beyond the First Year of College, Baltimore, MD, July 25-27, 2018. https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=14958&DocID=5018 (accessed 24 January 2025).
Allen, Patricia. "Graphical Approach to Multi-slit Interference Analysis." 2018 Conference on Laboratory Instruction Beyond the First Year of College. Baltimore, MD: 2018. of BFY Conference. 24 Jan. 2025 <https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=14958&DocID=5018>.
@inproceedings{
Author = "Patricia Allen",
Title = {Graphical Approach to Multi-slit Interference Analysis},
BookTitle = {2018 Conference on Laboratory Instruction Beyond the First Year of College},
Address = {Baltimore, MD},
Series = {BFY Conference},
Month = {July 25-27},
Year = {2018}
}
%A Patricia Allen %T Graphical Approach to Multi-slit Interference Analysis %S BFY Conference %D July 25-27 2018 %C Baltimore, MD %U https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=14958&DocID=5018 %O 2018 Conference on Laboratory Instruction Beyond the First Year of College %O July 25-27 %O application/pdf
%0 Conference Proceedings %A Allen, Patricia %D July 25-27 2018 %T Graphical Approach to Multi-slit Interference Analysis %B 2018 Conference on Laboratory Instruction Beyond the First Year of College %C Baltimore, MD %S BFY Conference %8 July 25-27 %U https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=14958&DocID=5018
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