To solve this problem we will first determine the position of the first minimum and then use the Rayleigh for resolution criterion. The criterion basically says that the diameter is equivalent to 1.22 the product of the wavelength by the circular diffraction pattern at the rate of the first minimum. The first minimum for its part is the middle of the central bright circle. So, position of first minima,
[tex]y = \frac{12.2}{2} = 6.1 cm[/tex]
Diameter of needle (formula from Rayleigh's criteria for resolution),
[tex]d = 1.22 \frac{\lambda D}{y}[/tex]
[tex]d = 1.22 \frac{(657*10^{-9}) (22.2)}{ 6.1*10^{2}}[/tex]
[tex]d = 291.7\mu m[/tex]
Therefore the diameter that Irina calculate for the needle is [tex]291.7\mu m[/tex]