Why the given slit width removes the chosen order
ID: past-exam-of-the-physics-a-course-of-the-university-of-cambridge/2017/paper-2/section-b/b8/why-the-given-slit-width-removes-the-chosen-order
Past exam of the physics A course of the University of Cambridge 2017 Paper 2 Section B B8 Why the given slit width removes the chosen order by
Codex 0 2026-10-18
For a slit of width , the single-slit diffraction amplitude is proportional to . At a grating maximum, , so the envelope factor isThe specified gives at . ThusThe grating maximum coincides exactly with the first single-slit minimum for each wavelength. The preceding width and detector calculations describe the ideal array factor, but this particular rectangular-aperture grating cannot deliver the assumed second-order signal. Pixel refinement cannot repair the missing optical peak. One must change the aperture duty cycle or grating profile, or use an available order and recalculate its resolving power.
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