Analysis of Single- and Double-Slit Diffraction Patterns Using Hair

• Yoriko Suda ^[2] ; Masayoshi Suko ^[1] ; Tsuyoshi Okuno ^[1]
  1. [1] University of Electro-Communications

     University of Electro-Communications

     Japón

     
  2. [2] The University of Electro-Communications, Chofu, Tokyo, Japan, and Tokyo University of Technology, Hachioji, Tokyo, Japan
• Localización: The Physics Teacher, ISSN 0031-921X, Vol. 64, Nº. 2, 2026, págs. 123-125
• Idioma: inglés
• Enlaces
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• Resumen

  • Young’s interference experiments are easy to perform because of the wide availability of laser pointers. However, double slits are not easily supplied. Babinet’s principle states that the same diffraction pattern appears when a slit and an object of the same width are reversed.1–3 This study conducted double-slit diffraction of two parallel hairs, and the hair thickness and spacing were determined based on the diffraction pattern. Analysis was conducted using image-processing software and a double-slit diffraction formula. Damaged hair with split or bent points produces interesting diffraction patterns. Experiments using familiar objects can attract high school students.