Double Slit Diffraction for Particles

path of particle

path of probability wave through both slits

slit width

distance between slits

wavelength of particle

This Demonstration shows diffraction patterns at a detector in Young's double-slit experiment. It also shows a simplified representation of how a particle passes through both slits as a probability wave and then interferes with itself. You can vary the spacing and size of the slits and the wavelength of the particle to see the resulting interference pattern. The peaks of the graph represent points of high intensity, where particles are likely to be found. The spacing between the slits and the detector is not to scale.