Simulating Experimental Phenomena in Wave Optics

The demonstration of wave optics experimental phenomena is crucial for understanding the nature of light waves. Through MATLAB numerical simulations, we can visually showcase the generation mechanisms of various diffraction and interference effects, enabling teaching demonstrations and principle verification without relying on physical optical equipment.

Core simulation scenarios can be divided into two main categories: diffraction and interference:

Diffraction Phenomena Simulation Circular Aperture Diffraction: By constructing circular aperture functions, we simulate Airy disk patterns formed when point sources pass through apertures of different diameters. The simulation demonstrates the inverse relationship between aperture size and diffraction ring spacing using array manipulation and Bessel function implementations. Single-Slit Diffraction: Using rectangular functions to model narrow slits, this demonstrates the quantitative relationship between diffraction fringe intensity distribution and slit width. The simulation reveals how central bright fringe width increases as slit width decreases, typically implemented through Fourier transform of rectangular functions. Double-Slit Diffraction: Requires superposition of diffraction fields and interference terms from two adjacent slits. The results show both equally-spaced interference fringes and modulation effects of diffraction envelopes, achieved by combining single-slit diffraction patterns with interference phase calculations.

Interference Phenomena Construction Wavefront Division Interference (e.g., Young's double-slit): By calculating optical path differences between two coherent secondary wave sources, we generate alternating bright and dark straight fringes of equal width. This reflects interference characteristics of wavefront division using coordinate-based phase difference calculations. Amplitude Division Interference (e.g., thin-film interference): Requires introducing reflectance coefficients and multiple reflected light superposition to simulate concentric ring patterns (equal inclination/thickness interference) or Newton's rings. Implementation involves complex amplitude summation with phase accumulation for multiple reflections. Multi-Path Interference (e.g., Michelson interferometer): Constructs phase accumulation models for multiple coherent light paths to demonstrate fringe movement and throughput effects caused by optical path changes. This typically uses matrix operations to handle multiple beam interference simultaneously.

Implementation Key Points: Wavefront discretization calculations based on Huygens-Fresnel principle Utilization of Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) to accelerate diffraction integral computations Strict maintenance of coherence conditions for all light paths in interference scenarios Real-time observation of pattern changes by adjusting parameters (wavelength, slit spacing, medium refractive index) through interactive GUI controls or parameter sweeping scripts

Such simulations are not only suitable for teaching demonstrations but also provide preliminary research support for optical system design, such as analyzing the impact of component tolerances on imaging quality. Through parametric modeling, we can rapidly verify expected phenomena predicted by various wave optics theories using systematic parameter studies and optimization algorithms.