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$n_1\sin\theta_1 = n_2\sin\theta_2$, where $n_1$ and $n_2$ are the refractive indices of the initial and secondary medium, and $\theta_1$ and $\theta_2$ are the angles of incidence and refraction.

Interference fringes observed when a thin wedge-shaped air gap between two surfaces causes a phase difference between two beams of light, named after physicist Hippolyte Fizeau.

Interference that occurs when more than two beams of light (often many reflections within a thin-film) combine to form an interference pattern.

The far-field diffraction pattern when light waves pass through a slit or an aperture and the diffracted waves are viewed at a large distance from the diffracting object.

Every point on a wavefront can be considered as a source of secondary spherical wavelets, which spread out in the forward direction at the same speed as the wave itself.

A demonstration of light as a wave and the interference pattern of light. Bright fringes occur where waves from both slits arrive in phase, resulting in constructive interference.

An optical component with a periodic pattern that splits and diffracts light into several beams. The pattern on the grating determines the directions of the diffracted beams.

Occurs when light waves reflected from the upper and lower boundaries of a thin film interfere with each other, often creating colorful patterns.

A pattern resulting from the diffraction of light through a single narrow opening. The central maximum is the brightest and widest, with successively fainter maxima on either side.

$\Delta y = \frac{\lambda L}{d}$, where $\Delta y$ is the fringe spacing, $\lambda$ is the wavelength of light, $L$ is the distance to the screen, and $d$ is the separation of the slits.

The minimum angular separation ($\theta$) required to distinguish between two point light sources is defined by $\theta = 1.22 \frac{\lambda}{D}$, where $\lambda$ is the wavelength and $D$ is the aperture diameter.

Equations that describe the reflection and transmission (refraction) of light when incident on an interface between different optical media.

Wave interference occurs when two waves meet while traveling along the same medium. Interference can be constructive or destructive depending on the phase difference.

A random granular pattern produced by the interference of coherent light waves scattered from a rough surface or in an optically heterogeneous medium.

The bending and spreading of waves around obstacles and openings. It is more pronounced when the wavelength is comparable to the size of the obstacle or opening.

A pattern of concentric light and dark rings observed when light reflects off a thin air layer between a flat glass surface and a spherical glass surface.

A precision instrument that uses interference of light to measure distances, index of refraction, and the speed of light. It splits a beam of light into two paths, which are then recombined to form an interference pattern.