photo credit: UMASS-Amherst Physics Lecture Support
Diffraction Around a Pinhead
This photo (hi-res version) shows light diffracting around a pinhead (see experimental setup). Note the spot of light in the center of the pattern--it's called Poisson's spot, and it shows unmistakably that light bent around the pinhead. To learn more, see this Buffalo State University webpage.
(This feature was updated on July 10, 2013.)
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Try this Exploratorium Diffraction activity to demonstrate the wave nature of light by observing diffraction. You'll need two pencils and a Mini-Maglite®.