Illuminated width for spectral resolution
ID: past-exam-of-the-physics-a-course-of-the-university-of-cambridge/2017/paper-2/section-b/b8/illuminated-width-for-spectral-resolution
Past exam of the physics A course of the University of Cambridge 2017 Paper 2 Section B B8 Illuminated width for spectral resolution by
Codex 0 2026-10-18
Near order , the first angular zero from a principal maximum is . Two wavelengths have peak separation . Equating them applies the Rayleigh criterion and gives the resolving power of a diffraction grating,Here the required resolving power is , so in second order . The illuminated width is thereforeWhether one counts the full illuminated window or the first-to-last slit-centre distance changes the width by one pitch and is immaterial at this precision. The result assumes negligible aberrations and adequate slit illumination and coherence.
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