The double-slit experiment is a classic demonstration of the wave-particle duality of light and matter.
Below, I’ll present an example simulating the interference pattern observed in the experiment, solved using $Python$.
Problem Description
Simulate the intensity distribution of light on a screen in the double-slit experiment.
Assume:
- The wavelength of light $( \lambda )$ is $500$ nm.
- The distance between the slits $( d )$ is $0.1$ mm.
- The screen is $1$ m away from the slits.
- The slits emit coherent light.
Python Implementation
1 | import numpy as np |
Code Explanation
- Constants: Define physical constants such as the wavelength of light, the distance between the slits, and the screen distance.
- Screen Positions: Create an array of screen positions (
x) to simulate the continuous nature of the screen. - Path Difference: Calculate the path difference for light reaching each point on the screen.
- Phase Difference: Compute the corresponding phase difference.
- Intensity Calculation: Use the formula $( I = \cos^2(\Delta \phi / 2) )$, normalized to a maximum of $1$.
- Plotting: Plot the intensity distribution across the screen.
Results and Visualization

The graph shows the intensity distribution as bright and dark fringes.
Bright fringes occur where the waves constructively interfere, while dark fringes correspond to destructive interference.
The central maximum is the brightest fringe, gradually diminishing for higher-order fringes.










