Optical thin film interference patterns in a stretched soap solution demonstrating multi-colour, psychedelic, educational and artistic effects


A film of soap solution supported by a frame will stretch under gravity and surface tension forces becoming progressively thinner. When the thickness of the soap film approaches the wavelengths of light, both constructive and destructive interference will occur resulting in the white light used to illuminate the film being split into all the colours in the white light spectrum. The soap film remains colourless, but this is a good demonstration of light interference physics and images of this are both educational and popular for interior decoration.


Size: 5792px × 8688px
Location: UK
Photo credit: © ALAN MORGAN PHOTOGRAPHY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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