diffraction pattern
nounUK /dɪˈfrækʃən ˈpætən/
US /dɪˈfrækʃən ˈpætərn/
A diffraction pattern is the special picture of light and dark stripes that appears when waves bend around an edge or squeeze through a tiny gap.
When the laser shone through the narrow slit, a bright diffraction pattern of stripes appeared on the wall.
RELATED WORDS
OTHER MEANINGS
2. The arrangement of spots or rings seen when X-rays scatter off a crystal.
Scientists studied the crystal's diffraction pattern to learn how its atoms are arranged.
3. A recorded image or graph showing how waves spread after passing an obstacle.
The lab printed the diffraction pattern so students could measure the spacing of the bands.
4. Any repeating design of light and shadow caused by waves overlapping.
The soap bubble's colors come from a diffraction pattern made by thin-film interference.