What Should the Index of Refraction Be for Zero Reflectivity at 532nm?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around determining the index of refraction for a thin film that will achieve zero reflectivity at a wavelength of 532nm when applied to a glass window with an index of refraction of 1.50. The original poster seeks to understand the conditions for destructive interference and the necessary parameters for achieving anti-reflection (AR) effects.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the criteria for destructive interference and the relationship between film thickness, index of refraction, and wavelength. Questions arise regarding the value of the integer m in the interference equation and the implications of different thicknesses on the index of refraction. There are also inquiries about the significance of the reflection coefficient and how it relates to the intensity of reflected light.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring various aspects of the problem, including the mathematical relationships involved and the physical principles of interference and reflectance. Some guidance has been provided regarding the conditions for achieving perfect anti-reflection and the importance of matching the intensities of reflections, but no consensus has been reached on specific values or methods.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the problem is situated within a second-year optics course, which incorporates electromagnetic theory and its applications to optics. There is also mention of potential constraints related to the assumptions about the index of refraction for the thin film.

stunner5000pt
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A physicist wishes to deposit a thin film on both sides of a glass (with index of refraction 1.50) window to reduce reflected light of wavelength 532nm to 0%

In order to achieve 100% destructive interference for light reflectedo ff of the air /thing film inteference and the light reflected off the thin film/glass interface what must hte index of refraction of the thin film be??


so its is purely destructive
2d + \frac{1}{2} \lambda = (m+ \frac{1}{2}) \frac{\lambda}{n}
what is the value of m though?? So would i assume m=0?? But then what is the value of the thickness?? Sincei want to find the index of refraction ,n.

Perhaps the subsequent sub questions have somethin to do with this answer?

Sketch a graph of the reflected intensity for lambda = 532nm as a function of thickness T 0<T<2000 nm
I could do this if i knew the index of refraction...

What thickness of a film will give this 100% AR effect at 532nm?
What fraction of light at twice the laser wavelength lambda = 1264nm will be reflected from this AR coated window?

P.S. Dont ask me what AR is, i don't know either!
 
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can anyone help??
 
Just wondering what level physics is this? course title i mean
 
AR = Anti-Reflection

There are several things to consider:

(1) Interference: You want the light reflected off the first and second surfaces to destructively interfere. This happens when the thickness (d) meets this criteria: 2dn/\lambda = k + 1/2, where k = 0, 1, 2... The thinnest coating meeting this criteria will be when k = 0. Of course, you need to know what n is for the material of the coating. (In this case you know it will be between 1 and 1.5.)

(2) Reflectance: To have perfect anti-reflection you must choose the index of refraction of the coating so that the intensity of both reflections is equal. Thus you want the reflectances at each surface to be equal. (Reflectance depends on the indices of refraction of the surfaces involved: look it up!)
 
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whozum said:
Just wondering what level physics is this? course title i mean

This is second year level course named Optics and Spectra
It is supposed to be part two of the EM course incorporating its applications to optics (such as maxwell's equations)
 
Doc Al said:
AR = Anti-Reflection

There are several things to consider:

(1) Interference: You want the light reflected off the first and second surfaces to destructively interfere. This happens when the thickness (d) meets this criteria: 2dn/\lambda = k, where k = 0, 1, 2... The thinnest (non-zero) coating will be when k = 1. Of course, you need to know what n is for the material of the coating. (In this case you know it will be between 1 and 1.5.)

(2) Reflectance: To have perfect anti-reflection you must choose the index of refraction of the coating so that the intensity of both reflections is equal. Thus you want the reflectances at each surface to be equal. (Reflectance depends on the indices of refraction of the surfaces involved: look it up!)

I cna certainly find the reflction coefficient for this surface using r = \frac{n_{2}-n_{1}}{n_{1}+n_{2}} does that have something to do with this?
I do not know the significance of the reflection coefficinet does it give the fracton of intensity reflected??
in 2dn/\lambda = k we known lambda and we know k we don't know n and d but we can't find n as a function of d. So any thickness would give a reasonable value for n?? I don't think guessing is what I am supposed ot be doing here!
 
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stunner5000pt said:
I cna certainly find the reflction coefficient for this surface using r = \frac{n_{2}-n_{1}}{n_{1}+n_{2}} does that have something to do with this?
Yes!
I do not know the significance of the reflection coefficinet does it give the fracton of intensity reflected??
For normal incidence, the intensity of the reflected light will be I_0 r^2. This will allow you to find the optimal index of refraction for your coating material.
in 2dn/\lambda = k we known lambda and we know k we don't know n and d but we can't find n as a function of d.
First off, I made an error in that formula (I left out the 1/2). So it should be: 2dn/\lambda = k + 1/2. You will choose k = 0 to get the thinnest coating.
So any thickness would give a reasonable value for n??
You'll figure out the optimal n for the coating material by matching the intensity of the reflections.
I don't think guessing is what I am supposed ot be doing here!
Right. No guessing!
 

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