Optics of interfaces

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Prof. S. Habraken

1
Fresnel equations
• Solved based on conditions of
continuity of fields at the I/F

• TE-pol

2
Relations de Fresnel
• TM-pol

3
 Amplitude Coefficients
• Using Snell-Descartes equations:

• At zero incidence
(normal)

4
 Amplitude Coefficients
ni < nt ni > nt

Brewster
Critical
Angle

5
 Transmittance / Reflectance
• Reflection and transmission Coefficients:

• The energy conservation principle is satisfied:

• At nul incidence:

R=4% with air-glass I/F (n~1.5)

6
 Transmittance / Reflectance
• Reflection and transmission Coefficients:

7
 Total Internal Reflection (TIR)
• With no transmitted wave, on cannot satisfy the conditions of continuity
of fields at the I/F !
• However, we verify R=1 and T=0: ➔ there is no energy carried by the
transmitted wave!
• kty ? (y-component of the transmitted wave vector)

1
⎛ sin 2 θ i ⎞ 2
kty = ±ikt ⎜⎜ 2
− 1⎟⎟ = ± iβ
⎝ nti ⎠

• Exponential decrease of the amplitude along y: evanescent wave

(penetration depth ~qq λ)
• The amplitude does not remain constant on the wavefront: definition of 8
an inhomogeneous wave
 Total Internal Reflection (TIR)
• The wave is oscillating on both sides of the I/F in such a way that the
average flux remains zero (no net energy is carried)
• Application of this du principle : Frustrated TIR
– A wave travels through a very thin air gap (~λ) under the TIR conditions.
– Since the evanescent wave extends (penetrates) beyond that gap, the energy is now
capable of passing the gap and reach the next medium
– Similar to the Tunneling effect
• The probably of extent of the wave at the second
I/F is non zero
➔ Induced coupling that allows the energy
to be transferred through the walls
of the energy box when walls are thin enough.

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 Metallic Reflection
The refractive index
becomes complex:
n = nR + inI
Under normal incidence:
(nR − 1) 2 + nI2
R=
(nR + 1) 2 + nI2

If nI>>nR : R ! 1
Example : Au
λ = 5 µm nR = 3.75 and nI = 31.0 ➔ High R
λ = 0.3 µm nR = 1.8 and nI = 1.9 ➔ R is decreasing
λ = 0.01 µm nR = 0.94 and nI = 0.017 ➔ Low R (dielectric behavior) 10