Optics
Diffraction Grating
Condition for principal maxima from a diffraction grating. Same form as double-slit but much sharper peaks.
Variables
dm
Grating spacing
Allowed values: greater than 0
θ°
Angle to maximum
munitless
Order number
Allowed values: 0 or more, whole number
λm
Wavelength
Allowed values: greater than 0
Your notes
0/5000
Other optics formulas with the same quantities
- Fringe Spacing (Wave Optics) shares Wavelength
- Single-Slit Diffraction (Wave Optics) shares Wavelength
- Thin Film Interference (Wave Optics) shares Order number
- Constructive Interference Condition (Wave Optics) shares Wavelength
- Rayleigh Criterion (Resolution) shares Wavelength
Where this formula is listed
- Optics formulas, under Wave Optics, alongside Optical Path Length.
- In the optics list it comes after Single-Slit Diffraction and before Resolving Power of Grating.
- Optics formula sheet, one of 34 formulas printed with symbol keys and SI units.
- The full formula index, grouped by category and topic.
Common questions
What is the Diffraction Grating formula?
Diffraction Grating is written d sin θ = mλ. Condition for principal maxima from a diffraction grating. Same form as double-slit but much sharper peaks. It belongs to Optics, under Wave Optics.
What are the units in d sin θ = mλ?
In SI units, d is grating spacing, measured in m; θ is angle to maximum, measured in °; m is order number (dimensionless); λ is wavelength, measured in m.