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Diffraction Grating Simulator

An interactive, web-based simulator that provides a real-time visualization of the diffraction pattern produced by a reflective or transmissive grating. This tool allows users to explore the principles of optical diffraction by adjusting a comprehensive set of parameters for both the incident light and the grating itself.

Live Demo

Experience the simulator live at: visuphy.github.io/DiffractionGrating

Screenshot

Screenshot of the Diffraction Grating Simulator

Features

  • Dual Light Modes: Simulate diffraction for both Monochromatic and White Light sources.
  • Comprehensive Beam Controls:
    • Adjust the Wavelength (λ) of monochromatic light with a dynamic range.
    • Set the Bandwidth (Δλ) to observe the effect of spectral line width.
    • Modify the Angle of Incidence (α) of the light source.
  • Detailed Grating Properties:
    • Control Grating Spacing (d) or, alternatively, the Groove Density (lines/mm).
    • Select the number of Diffraction Orders (±m) to display.
    • Define the number of Illuminated Grooves (N) to see its effect on resolving power.
    • Switch between Reflective and Transmissive grating types.
  • Interactive Analysis:
    • In monochromatic mode, click on any diffraction order to view its key quantitative properties.
    • Displayed data includes the precise diffraction angle, angular dispersion, temporal dispersion (GVD), and the system's resolving power.
  • Littrow Condition Display: The simulator calculates and displays the wavelength and angle required to satisfy the Littrow condition for m=1 based on the current setup.

How to Use

  1. Launch the Simulator: Open the live demo link in your browser.
  2. Select Light Properties:
    • Choose between Monochromatic or White Light.
    • If monochromatic, use the sliders or input boxes to set the Wavelength and Bandwidth.
    • Adjust the Angle of Incidence for the incoming beam.
  3. Configure Grating Properties:
    • Use the sliders or input fields to set the Grating Spacing or Groove Density. Note that changing one will automatically update the other.
    • Set the maximum number of diffraction orders and illuminated grooves.
    • Select whether the grating is Reflective or Transmissive.
  4. Analyze the Results:
    • Observe the diffraction pattern on the canvas.
    • For detailed analysis, switch to Monochromatic mode and click on a specific diffracted ray (e.g., m = 1). The calculated physical properties for that order will appear in the top-left corner of the canvas.

Technical Details

This simulator is built entirely with client-side web technologies:

  • HTML5: For the structure and layout of the user interface.
  • CSS3: For styling the controls and ensuring a responsive design.
  • JavaScript: For the core simulation logic, physics calculations, and rendering on the HTML5 Canvas.

No external libraries or frameworks are required, ensuring the simulator is lightweight and fast-loading.

Contributing

Feedback and contributions are welcome! If you encounter any bugs, have suggestions for new features, or would like to improve the code, please feel free to:

  • Report an issue: Open an issue on the GitHub Issues page.
  • Submit a pull request: Fork the repository, make your changes, and submit a pull request for review.

License

This project is licensed under the MIT License. See the LICENSE file for more details.

Acknowledgments