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7 Error Functions, Dawson’s and Fresnel Integrals

Sidebar 7.SB1: Diffraction from a Straightedge

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Photograph of light diffracted by a straightedge. The intensity distribution follows |(x)|2, where is the Fresnel integral (See 7.3.4). Fresnel integrals have many applications in optics. The faint circular patterns are additional diffraction effects due to imperfections in the edge.