Observation of the Light Interference Phenomenon with Varying Slit Width

Permono Adi Putro, Vidya Az-zahra Suryana, Sinta Nopianti

The phenomenon of light duality is a fundamental concept in modern physics that states that light has a dual nature, namely as a wave and a particle. Understanding this concept often becomes a challenge in learning due to the limitations of laboratory facilities to directly observe interference and diffraction phenomena. This study aims to explore the concept of light duality through quantum interference simulations based on a virtual laboratory using PhET Interactive Simulations from the University of Colorado Boulder. The research was conducted in a descriptive-quantitative manner by varying three main parameters, namely the number of slits (1, 2, and 3), slit width (0.04–0.4 mm), and light wavelength (400–700 nm). Each configuration was systematically simulated to observe the resulting diffraction and interference patterns. Data analysis was carried out using descriptive and inferential statistics, including Shapiro-Wilk, Levene, Kruskal-Wallis tests, as well as one-way ANOVA to identify the relationship between optical variables and the characteristics of interference patterns. The research results indicate that with variations in the number and width of slits, light tends to behave like particles with concentrated intensity, whereas with variations in wavelength, the widening light-dark pattern demonstrates wave properties. These findings reinforce the concept of light duality and confirm the effectiveness of virtual laboratories as a learning medium for visually and interactively understanding complex quantum phenomena.

Natalie G. Ferris

John Kellock Robertson

Maxime Vabre, Sylvain Girard, H. Gilles +6 more

A new interference phenomenon is reported, which has so far not been observed with either matter or light. In a nanometer-sized version of Feynman's famous two-slit “thought” experiment with single electrons, the width of a quasi-monochromatic line has been found to oscillate with the detection angle. Since this experiment resembles the original double-slit experiment by Young with light (1807), photon interferences were investigated in order to determine the wavelength distribution as a function of the position in the interference field. In addition to the well-known oscillating dependence of the intensity with a succession of dark and bright fringes, a periodic dependence with respect to the detection position has also been observed for the width of the wavelength distribution, revealing a larger analogy between electron and photon interferences.

Keyu Pan, Xiumei Wang, Xizhou Shen +2 more

Abstract In the last few decades, interference has been extensively studied in both the quantum and classical fields, which reveals light volatility and is widely used for high-precision measurements. We have put forward the phenomenon in which the discrete diffraction and interference phenomena, presented by the time-varying voltage of a Su–Schrieffer–Heeger circuit model with an anti-PT (APT) symmetry. To demonstrate Young’s double-slit phenomenon in an APT circuit, we initially explore the coupled mode theory of voltage in the broken phase, observe discrete diffraction under single excitation and interference under double excitations. Furthermore, we design a phase-shifting circuit to observe the effects of phase difference and distance on discrete interference. Our work combines the effects in optics with condensed matter physics, show the Young’s double-slit phenomenon in electrical circuits theoretically and experimentally.

Morio Yamada