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diffraction grating
diffraction grating

diffraction grating

Dateca. 1900-1940
Inventory NumberWJ0622b
ClassificationDiffraction Grating
Subject
    Cultural Region
      Place of Use
        Dimensions21.8 × 16.7 × 0.2 cm (8 9/16 × 6 9/16 × 1/16 in.)
        Material
          DescriptionRectangular piece of dark glass with black tape around the edges.
          Signedunsigned
          Curatorial RemarksMoved from William James Hall 6/30/97.
          FunctionDispersion and spectral analysis of polychromatic light. Diffraction gratings consist of a series of periodic modifications of the index of refraction in order to modify the amplitude or phase of an electromagnetic wave incident on the surface of the grating. Because the phases of light waves have been changed, light waves of different wavelengths will constructively interfere at different points. For a deeper explanation of diffraction gratings, see Christopher Palmer, Diffraction Grating Handbook (Rochester, NY: Newport Corporation, 2005), chapters 1 (available here) and 2 (available here).
          ProvenanceDepartment of Psychology, Harvard University.
          Wallace replica Rowland diffraction grating
          Central Scientific Company
          Object number: 1997-1-0295
          diffraction gratings
          Scientific Shop
          Date: 1900-1910
          Accessories: Ives' photographic replica of diffraction grating Ives' photographic replica of circular grating
          Object number: WJ0631
          Wallace replica Rowland diffraction grating
          Central Scientific Company
          Date: 1910-1930
          Object number: 2059
          concave diffraction grating for 3-meter spectrograph
          Jarrell-Ash Company
          Date: circa 1946
          Object number: 2052a
          parts for mounting concave metallic 
diffraction grating in 1925-1926
          American
          Date: circa 1925
          Object number: 1998-1-1397
          wire diffraction grating
          American
          Date: circa 1925
          Object number: 2007-1-0408
          set of diffraction gratings
          American
          Date: circa 1985
          Object number: 2004-1-0367
          concave diffraction grating
          American
          Date: 1908-1912
          Accessories: wooden box
          Object number: 2029
          concave diffraction grating
          American
          Date: 1920-1940
          Object number: 1998-1-1324
          concave diffraction grating
          American
          Date: circa 1924
          Accessories: wooden box
          Object number: 2025
          concave diffraction grating
          American
          Date: circa 1925
          Accessories: metal box
          Object number: 2027
          Rowland concave diffraction grating
          American
          Date: 1903
          Accessories: wooden box
          Object number: 2036