Diffraction is a phenomenon that occurs when a wave encounters an obstacle or passes through a

narrow slit, causing it to bend around the edges of the obstacle or slit and spread out. This phenomenon
is not unique to light waves but can occur with any type of wave, including sound waves, water waves,
and electromagnetic waves. However, for the purpose of your question, I'll focus on diffraction of light.

When light encounters an obstacle or a slit that is comparable in size to its wavelength, it exhibits
diffraction patterns. The diffraction pattern depends on the size and shape of the obstacle or slit, as well
as the wavelength of the light. Here are a few key points about diffraction of light:

Single-Slit Diffraction:

When light passes through a single narrow slit, it creates a diffraction pattern characterized by a central
bright fringe (maximum intensity) surrounded by alternating dark and light fringes. The central
maximum is wider and brighter than the others.

Double-Slit Diffraction:

In double-slit diffraction, light passes through two closely spaced slits. The resulting pattern consists of a
central bright fringe and alternating dark and light fringes. The double-slit pattern is a combination of
single-slit diffraction and interference between the waves emerging from the two slits.

Diffraction Gratings:

Diffraction gratings are optical devices with a large number of closely spaced parallel slits or rulings.
When light passes through a diffraction grating, it produces a series of bright and dark fringes, much like
double-slit diffraction. However, the intensity of the fringes is more pronounced and the angular
separation between them is smaller.

Circular Aperture Diffraction:

When light passes through a circular aperture, such as a pinhole or the aperture of a lens, it creates a
diffraction pattern with a central bright spot surrounded by concentric rings of alternating dark and light
intensity.

Examples in Nature:
Diffraction is not limited to controlled laboratory setups. It occurs in various natural phenomena, such as
the diffraction of sunlight through clouds, leading to the formation of colorful coronas around the sun.
The iridescence of soap bubbles is also a result of diffraction.

Understanding the principles of diffraction is crucial in various fields, including optics, astronomy, and
the design of optical instruments. Diffraction plays a role in determining the resolution of optical
systems and is a fundamental aspect of wave optics.