# Diffraction

Canonical: https://manyspace.aporia.systems/topics/diffraction-phy-optics-073
Updated: 2026-10-13

Physics · Optics · PHY-OPTICS-073

- Difficulty: 3 / 5
- Importance: 4 / 5
- Study time: 4–7.5 h

single slit, gratings, Rayleigh criterion, resolution

## Why it matters

The physics of light: ray optics and wave optics; the bridge between Maxwell's equations and imaging technology.

## Where it is used

Lenses, cameras, microscopes, telescopes, laser systems, fiber optics, displays, photolithography.

## How you know you have learned it

Solve ≥10 representative problems with ≥80% adjusted accuracy.

## What you need first

- [Simple Harmonic Motion](https://manyspace.aporia.systems/topics/simple-harmonic-motion-phy-waves-024) (required)
- [Electric Charge & Coulomb's Law](https://manyspace.aporia.systems/topics/electric-charge-coulomb-s-law-phy-eandm-053) (required)

## Resources

- Optics (Hecht) — Eugene Hecht