Optical diffraction

Optical diffraction is the bending, spreading, and interference of light as it passes around edges or through small openings. When light encounters an obstacle or a slit similar in size to its wavelength, it doesn't just travel in straight lines but spreads out and creates patterns of bright and dark areas. This phenomenon reveals the wave-like nature of light and is responsible for effects such as the colorful patterns seen when light passes through a small aperture or around objects. Diffraction is fundamental in understanding optical systems, from microscopes to telescopes, and illustrates how light behaves both as a wave and a particle.