Sidebar 7.SB1: Diffraction from a Straightedge

Photograph of light diffracted by a straightedge. The intensity distribution follows ${|ℱ\left(x\right)|}^2$, where $ℱ$ 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.