A Simple Derivation of the Rayleigh Criterion.

This article discusses Rayleigh's criterion, which is a measure of the minimum separation needed for two objects to produce distinct images when observed with diffraction-limited optical instruments. It presents an approximate method for finding the dark rings in the diffraction pattern using a two-point interference problem, which is accurate to 3.4%. The article also explains the diffraction of waves through a circular aperture and how dividing the aperture into quadrants and octants affects the diffraction pattern. It acknowledges the limitations of the approach and mentions advances in super-resolution microscopy techniques that have surpassed the diffraction limit. The author, Alexander R. Small, is a professor and researcher in the field of super-resolution technologies. [Extracted from the article]