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Diffraction Orders

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Diffraction Orders

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For a particular groove spacing d, wavelength λ and incidence angle α, the grating equation is generally satisfied by more than one diffraction angle β. In fact, subject to restrictions discussed below, there will be several discrete angles at which the condition for constructive interference is satisfied. The physical significance of this is that the constructive reinforcement of wavelets diffracted by successive grooves merely requires that each ray be retarded (or advanced) in phase with every other; this phase difference must therefore correspond to a real distance (path difference) which equals an integral multiple of the wavelength.

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