Does the Transmission Coefficient Affect Phase Relationships in Optics?

AI Thread Summary
In classical optics, a medium with a transmittance of 99% indicates that 99% of the incident light intensity is transmitted, but it does not inherently specify any phase shift. The propagation constant, which includes an imaginary term representing phase, is relevant but does not directly apply to the transmittance alone. The phase relationship among incident, reflected, and transmitted light waves must be equal at the point of incidence, suggesting that some phase shift may occur. However, without additional information about the medium's properties, the exact phase shift cannot be determined solely from transmittance. Understanding these nuances is essential for accurate analysis in optics.
Niles
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Hi

I have a question on the transmission coefficient in classical optics. When we say that a medium has a transmittance of e.g. 99%, then 99% of the incident light intensity is transmitted. But will the light also acquire a phase?

I tried searching the web, but all I found was this Wiki-article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Propagation_constant. There it states that the propagation constant has an imaginary term (=phase), but does it also apply to the case I described?


Niles.
 
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If just the transmittance is given, I don't see a way to determine the phase shift (if present).
 
the phases of light(incident,reflected,transmitted) at the point where it strikes must be equal.it induces some phase relationship for these waves.
 
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