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Sensor size and diffraction.

Started Jan 2, 2016 | Discussions thread
J A C S
J A C S Forum Pro • Posts: 20,540
Re: Sensor size and diffraction.

Erik Ohlson wrote:

There is nothing magical about this - but where the "Magic" comes in is that - due to physics again (sorry!) when light passes through a hole, it "scrapes" on the edges. All waves do this, including light and water. Here is a picture of water waves passing through an aperture, notice how the wave pattern changes and smooths (blurs) out.

It does because the energy spreads over a larger area. Diffraction can be explained by interference patterns barely visible here. On the other hand, it is the "scarping" (not really a scraping) causing the interference patterns.

The waves are coming toward you in this photo:

View: gallery page

When light does this, it blurs the image. It's called "diffraction". It can NOT be avoided.

The wider the hole, the less blur.

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