Past exam of the physics 2 paper of the University of Oxford / 2017 / 10 / c

The Rayleigh criterion declares two equal incoherent point images just resolved when the central maximum of one lies at the first minimum of the other's point spread function. For a single rectangular slit, the first minimum occurs at $w\sin {\theta }_1=\lambda$. ThusThis is a resolution in the direction across the slit width, and the last approximation requires $\lambda \ll w$. The central maximum's full width between its two first minima is approximately $2\lambda /w$; it is not the Rayleigh criterion's separation. Two coherent sources can interfere with one another, so a resolution statement for them also needs their relative phase.