Diffraction is the deviation from a straight path that occurs when a wave such as light or sound passes around an obstacle or through an opening. The importance of diffraction in any particular situation depends on the relative size of the obstacle or opening and the wavelength of the wave that strikes it. The diffraction grating is an important device that makes use of the diffraction of light to produce spectra. Diffraction is also fundamental in other applications such as x-ray diffraction studies of crystals and holography.

All waves are subject to diffraction when they encounter an obstacle in their path. Consider the shadow of a flagpole cast by the Sun on the ground. From a distance the darkened zone of the shadow gives the impression that light traveling in a straight line from the Sun was blocked by the pole. But careful observation of the shadow's edge...