Answer:
The minimum angular spread of the laser beam is 3.32 × [tex]10^{-6}[/tex] radians (or 3.32 μrad).
Explanation:
The minimum angular spread of a wave is the ratio of its narrowest diameter to its wavelength.
From Rayleigh's formula,
Angular spread = 1.22 (wavelength ÷ diameter)
= 1.22 (λ ÷ D)
Given that:
diameter, D = 0.18 m and wavelength, λ = 490 nm, then;
Angular spread of the laser beam = 1.22 (λ ÷ D)
= 1.22[tex](\frac{490*10^{-9} }{0.18})[/tex]
= 1.22× 2.7222 × [tex]10^{-6}[/tex]
= 3.3211 × [tex]10^{-6}[/tex] rad
The minimum angular spread of the laser beam is 3.32 × [tex]10^{-6}[/tex] radians.
