Diffraction gratings are optical devices that resemble lenses or mirrors. They include features such as parallel grooves or slits that produce light. Basic types of light diffraction gratings include transmission gratings and ruled or reflection diffraction gratings. Tiny grooves are cut into a flat or concave glass for reflection diffraction gratings. Aluminum, gold, silver, tin or copper is added as a surface coating for light diffraction. CDs and DVDs are examples of reflection diffraction gratings because the material not only holds data, but divides visible light into rainbow colors.

Transmission diffraction gratings are less common in optic applications. They are made of perforated mesh that fully passes light through a surface. Small spectroscopes are required to work in a transmission diffraction grating experiment. Holographic diffraction gratings are made from laser or computer-designed holograms to produce light. Scientists use light diffraction gratings to measure the spectra of ultraviolet and infrared light as well as microwaves. Ruled diffraction gratings reflect infrared light, transmission diffraction gratings produce visible light or microwaves, while holographic diffraction gratings emit visible and ultraviolet light.

1. Search for diffraction grating equipment.

2. Buy light diffraction gratings for various scientific, engineering or industrial applications.

3. Compare the price of diffraction gratings.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find diffraction grating equipment for experiments

Look for the right equipment, tools or other instruments, such as diffraction grating spectrographs, to do a diffraction grating experiment.

I recommend: Max Levy Autograph supplies clear optical path targets that hold diffraction grating spectrographs. Spectrogon features diffraction grating equipment that includes concave gratings and laser tuning gratings.

Buy diffraction gratings for various laboratory needs

Shop for diffraction gratings that produce holographic, transmission or reflective light properties.

I recommend: Certified diffraction gratings manufacturers such as Photo Sciences produce lithography systems and micro-imaged substrates of optics diffraction gratings. SlipNOT Metal Safety Flooring manufactures diffraction gratings and grid gratings to make surfaces slip-resistant. Crown Roll Leaf distributes holographic light diffraction gratings for art designing, embossing and converting capabilities.

Buy diffraction gratings at competitive prices

Find reasonably priced light diffraction gratings as long as they provide grating diffraction efficiency.

I recommend: Anchor Optics offers discounts on some of its diffraction grating equipment and supplies. Contact Holographix to inquire about prices of diffraction gratings. Midwest Laser Products supplies burst- and linear-style diffraction gratings at a range of prices.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Glass, ceramic or metal etchings in diffraction gratings can have densities ranging from 300 to 3,000 grooves per millimeter if they're used to produce visible and ultraviolet light. To capture infrared light, diffraction gratings should have densities ranging from 20 to 1,800 grooves per millimeter.
• •  Astronomers most commonly use diffraction gratings and diffraction grating equipment to analyze and measure light from stars. They also examine the planets near these distant stars to determine the composition of the universe.