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How Does the Wavelength of Laser Light Affect Fringe Spacing in the Double-Slit Experiment?

CSEF · 2026 Physics & Astronomy (Senior Division)

Kaaveri Sonawane

Overview

The double-slit experiment (originally done by Thomas Young in 1801) is done by pointing a concentrated beam of light towards to two very thin slits (which are very close to each other), resulting in a unique pattern of light and dark fringes on the flat surface that the light lands on. It demonstrates the behavior of wave-particle duality of light. My experiment focuses on the differing results of the experiment if it were to be conducted using multiple different wavelengths of light. I used different colored lasers to use as different wavelengths of light. First, I calculated the predicted distance between each fringe, and then I conducted the actual experiment using readily available materials. I conducted 3 trials per color laser and took pictures of all results using a cell phone camera. Next, I measured the distance between each light frigne using a software. I then compared this measured distance to my predicted distance. Overall, I found quantitative differences in fringe spacing, as well as a clear trend between the wavelength and the fringe spacing.

Competition history

  • CSEF 2026 Physics & Astronomy (Senior Division) · Entry S-17-15

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