| RefNo | MS/242/24 |
| Level | Item |
| Title | Letter from Augustin Jean Fresnel to Thomas Young, dated at Paris |
| Date | 19 September 1819 |
| Description | Sends two copies of his treatise on diffraction of light as it has been published in the Annales de Physique et de Chimie, one to be given to the Royal Society. The version is shorter than originally written, the parts that have been cut off contained a criticism of the Newtonian system, and were of little novelty. The current version includes the theory of diffraction, and its experimental verification. As stated by Young this is a direct application of [Christiaan] ]Huygens' theory, Young and Fresnel are only contibuted to science the theory of interference and its applications. Elaborates on how the theory proves the idea that light is a wave.
Corrects an error made by Young on the formula of interference in a letter to [Jean Francois] Arago where Young applies Huygens' principle.
States he does not believe that light waves are inversed when it is reflected through translucent bodies, and has verified it through experimentation.
Draft response from Young on the last page. |
| Language | French |
| Extent | 4p |
| Format | Manuscript |
| PhysicalDescription | Paper |
| AccessStatus | Open |
Fellows associated with this archive
| Code | PersonName | Dates |
| NA7947 | Young; Thomas (1773 - 1829); physician, physicist and Egyptologist | 1773 - 1829 |
| NA7031 | Fresnel; Augustin Jean (1788 - 1827) | 1788 - 1827 |