VERIFICATION OF FRESNEL’S LAWS

OF REFLECTION
AIM

In this experiment we study the reflection of plane polarized light from a plane surface of a
transparent dielectric substance (such as glass) and verify Fresnel's Laws of reflection.

THEORY

Plane polarized light waves in which the plane of vibrations (of the electric vector) is
parallel to the plane of incidence, (i.e., the plane containing the incident light ray, the reflected
light ray and the normal drawn to the reflecting surface at the point of incidence ) are called p-
waves., while those for which the plane of vibration is perpendicular (senkrecht in German) to the
plane of incidence are called s-waves. Fresnel's Laws determine the ratio of the reflected amplitude
to the incident amplitude for the p and s waves and are given by,
𝑅𝑠 sin⁡(𝜃 − 𝜑)
=− (1)
𝐸𝑠 sin⁡(𝜃 + 𝜑)

𝑅𝑝 tan⁡(𝜃 − 𝜑)
=− (2)
𝐸𝑝 tan⁡(𝜃 + 𝜑)
Here 𝐸𝑠 and⁡𝐸𝑝 are the incident electric vector amplitudes for s and p components
respectively, and 𝑅𝑠 and𝑅𝑝 are the corresponding reflected amplitudes. The angles θ and φ are the
angles of incidence and refraction respectively.
If the incident light is plane polarized with the plane of vibration making an angle α with
the plane of incidence, we have evidently,
⁡𝐸𝑝 = |𝐸⃗ |𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼 (3)

⁡𝐸𝑠 = |𝐸⃗ |𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼 (4)

Where |𝐸⃗ | is the amplitude of the incident electric vector. The angle α is called the
azimuth of the incident light wave. We adopt the convention that all angles in 0< 𝛼 < 𝜋 , are
positive when measured in the sense of a right-hand-screw which advances in the direction of the
incident ray. Secondly, we adopt the convention that 0≤ 𝛼 ≤ 𝜋⁡.Note that while all angles in 0<
𝛼 < 𝜋 corresponding to different azimuth, the two angles α=0 and α=π represents the same
azimuth.

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General Physics Lab, M.Sc. (Physics)
Department of Studies in Physics, Shivagangothri, Davangere University, Davanagere - 577007
 Figure1: Illustration of plane of vibration

Similarly, for 0≤ 𝛽 ≤ 𝜋 is the azimuth of the reflected light wave, we have

𝑅𝑝 = |𝑅⃗|𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛽⁡⁡;⁡⁡𝑅𝑠 = |𝑅⃗|𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛽 (5)

Where |𝑅⃗ | is the amplitude of the reflected electric vector. Now

𝑅𝑝 𝑅𝑝 𝐸𝑝 𝐸𝑠
𝑐𝑜𝑡𝛽 = = ( )⁡( )⁡( ) (6)
𝑅𝑠 𝐸𝑝 𝐸𝑠 𝑅𝑠
=> ⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡𝑐𝑜𝑡𝛽 = −(𝑐𝑜𝑡𝛼 )𝑓(𝜃) (6a)
Where
cos⁡(𝜃 + 𝜑)
𝑓 (𝜃 ) = − (6b)
cos⁡(𝜃 − 𝜑)
This is the key formula and the plan of the experiment is to verify it by measuring β as a
function of α and θ [note that φ is a function of θ and is not an independent variable]. Before
describing the experiment, we make a few observations on the formula (6a)
Recall Snell’s law:
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃
𝜇= (7)
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜑
Where μ is the refractive index. If μ is given, the angles of refraction φ may be calculated
as a function of the angle of incidence θ from the formula.
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃
𝜑 = sin−1 ( ) (8)
𝜇
𝜋
Note that θ lies in the range 0≤ 𝜃 ≤ , and as μ ≥ 1, the angle φ lies in 0≤ 𝜑 ≤ 𝜋/2. Hence
2
equation (8) determines φ uniquely as a function of θ.
The angle of incidence 𝜃 = 𝜃𝐵 at which θ+φ=π/2, is called the polarizing angle or the Brewster's
angle for the dielectric material. If 𝜑 = 𝜑𝐵 = sin−1 (𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃𝐵 /𝜇 ) at 𝜃 = 𝜃𝐵 ,we have

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General Physics Lab, M.Sc. (Physics)
Department of Studies in Physics, Shivagangothri, Davangere University, Davanagere - 577007
 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃𝐵
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜑𝐵 = ⁡ => ⁡⁡𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃𝐵 = 𝜇 (9)
𝜇
𝜋
As since 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜑𝐵 = 𝑠𝑖𝑛 (2 − 𝜃𝐵 ) = 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃𝐵 . Equation (9) is known as Brewster's law from which
we can calculate μ if 𝜃𝐵 is known and conversely.
𝜋 𝜋
Now, since 0≤ 𝜃 ≤ 2 , the difference and 0≤ 𝜑 ≤ 2 ,the difference (θ-φ) lies in interval 0≤
𝜋
(𝜃 − 𝜑 ) < .
2
Hence,
0< cos⁡(𝜃 − 𝜑) ≤ 1 (10)
Also, we have (θ+φ)⁡<>̅ π/2 for θ⁡<>̅ 𝜃𝐵 .
Hence,
cos(𝜃 − 𝜑) ⁡<>̅ ⁡0 ; according as θ⁡⁡<>̅ 𝜃𝐵 (11)
Using equations 10 and 11 together we thus observe that
f⁡(𝜃)⁡<>̅ ⁡𝜃 , according as θ⁡⁡<>̅ 𝜃𝐵 (12)
Where f(θ) is defined in equation 6b. Now for ∝= 450 equation 6b becomes
𝑐𝑜𝑡𝛽 = −𝑓(𝜃) (13)
From which it follows that [see equation 12], at ∝= 450 ,
cot β <>̅ , according as θ⁡<>̅ 𝜃𝐵 (14)
So that
𝜋
𝛽⁡><̅ ⁡ 2 According as θ⁡<>̅ 𝜃𝐵 (15)
In other words, at∝= 450 , β is a decreasing function of angle of incidence θ and β=π/2 at θ= 𝜃𝐵

EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE

The transparent dielectric reflecting surface used in the experiment is polished face of
the given prism for which the refractive index μ=1.6, and the polarizing angle (or Brewster's angle)
is 𝜃𝐵 = 580 (measured using an Abbe refractometer).After making the standard preliminary
adjustments with the given spectrometer, and after cleaning the reflecting glass surface, place the
prism on the prism table of the spectrometer such that the longer edge of the reflecting surface is
along a diameter of the prism table.
Check whether the reflected image of the slit (Illuminated by a sodium lamp) is seen
through the telescope at all angles of incidence. Fix a Polaroid onto the collimator of the
spectrometer and keeping the angle of incidence θ at θ=𝜃𝐵 ⁡catch the reflected image of the slit on
the cross-wires (or at the tip of the pointer) in the eye piece of the telescope. Rotate the polarizer
such that the intensity of the reflected image (of the slit) is a minimum. Note down the reading 𝑃0
on the polarizer. This corresponds to α=0 i.e., at this setting of the polarizer, the plane of electric

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General Physics Lab, M.Sc. (Physics)
Department of Studies in Physics, Shivagangothri, Davangere University, Davanagere - 577007
vibrations of the incident light wave makes zero angle with the plane of incidence. Now rotate the
polarizer (in the sense of the right-hand screw with respect to the incidence ray) such that the
reading on it is 𝑃0 + 450 . This setting corresponds to ∝= 450 .
Without, disturbing the polarizer setting (i.e., keeping∝= 450 fixed), attach a second
Polaroid (analyzer) onto telescope. At each angle of incidence θ, rotate the analyzer to make the
intensity of the reflected image of the slit a minimum and note down the corresponding analyzer
reading A=A(θ).In particular, let A(𝜃𝐵 )⁡be the analyzer reading yielding extinction at θ= 𝜃𝐵 . Then
the azimuth of the reflected wave at the angle of incidence θ is evidently given by

𝜋
− |𝐴(𝜃 ) − 𝐴(𝜃𝐵 )|⁡𝑓𝑜𝑟⁡𝜃 > 𝜃𝐵
2
𝜋
𝛽 ≡ 𝛽(𝜃) = ⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡⁡𝑎𝑡⁡𝜃 = 𝜃𝐵 (16)
2
𝜋
( )
{ 2 + |𝐴 𝜃 − 𝐴(𝜃𝐵 )|⁡⁡𝑓𝑜𝑟⁡𝜃 < 𝜃𝐵

Calculate cotβ and plot cotβ versus f(θ).This should give a straight line passing through
the origin and have a slope = -1,thus verifying Fresnel's laws (13) at ∝= 450 It is also instructive
𝑅
𝑝
to plot| 𝑅 | = |𝑐𝑜𝑡𝛽| versus θ.
𝑠

REMARK

The angle of incidence at given value of 𝜃0 , note that you must turn the telescope from direct
position through an angle (180 - 2θ)
Direct reading= 1650
𝑃0 = 860 corresponds to α=0
𝑃0 + 450 = 1310 corresponds to α=450

CALCULATIONS

Refractive index of the glass = 1.6 (given)

Brewster angle =⁡tan−1 (1.6) = ⁡⁡580
Zero azimuth reading 𝑃0 = 860
Reading on the polarizer giving ∝= 450 = 𝑃0 + 450 = 1310

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General Physics Lab, M.Sc. (Physics)
Department of Studies in Physics, Shivagangothri, Davangere University, Davanagere - 577007
 Azimuth β(θ)
Angle of Angle of Extinction of the 𝐜𝐨𝐬⁡(𝜽+𝝋)
incidence refraction reading on the reflected Cot β(θ) f(θ) = 𝐜𝐨𝐬⁡(𝜽−𝝋)
θ (degrees) φ (degrees) analyzer A(θ) wave in
(degrees) (degrees)

Figure.2: Plot of f(θ) versus cot(β) Figure.3: Plot of cot(β) versus θ

RESULT

Slope of cot β(θ) versus f(θ) is found to be ______. Hence Fresnel's laws of reflection are verified

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General Physics Lab, M.Sc. (Physics)
Department of Studies in Physics, Shivagangothri, Davangere University, Davanagere - 577007