Are metals transparent at high enough frequencies?

[paweld]

As is commonly known metals are good mirrors i.e. they reflect very well visible light.
I wonder whetehr is it true for frequency much higher then the frequancy of visible
light. Does exists the frequency for which metals are almost transparent?

 

[nasu]

As is commonly known metals are good mirrors i.e. they reflect very well visible light.
I wonder whetehr is it true for frequency much higher then the frequancy of visible
light. Does exists the frequency for which metals are almost transparent?

Metals can be quite transparent for x-rays.

 

[DrDu]

Yes, metals become transparent above the so called plasma frequency which ranges from about 10 eV to 30 eV in most metals.

 

[paweld]

Thanks for answers. Can you give me a referece for a model explaining the existence
plasma frequency in metals.

 

[genneth]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_electron_model#Dielectric_function_of_the_electron_gas