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Aetholite
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So I was wondering how it is possible that there will be no p-pol light reflected when the refracted light is at 90 degrees to the reflected light (so incoming light is at Brewster's angle).
The Brewster's angle was explained to me by saying that the electrons in the medium radiate light (EM-waves), because they osciallate due to the incoming light wave. This radiation is zero in the direction of the electron (dipole) oscillation, thus when the osciallation direction is the same direction as the reflected light would be, no light would be radiated in that direction, and thus no reflection would take place. This being the case only for p-pol light.
But my question is: Doesn't this imply that the electrons oscillate at a diferent angle (refraction angle) and not oscillate at the same angle as the incoming light? I thought the refraction angle was due to the superposition of radiated light from these electrons and not already present at each individual electron. If that is the case, why would electrons oscillate at a different angle (refraction angle) in the receiving medium than they do in the incidence medium?
Could someone explain to me how the brewster angle and refraction work on a miscroscopic level, without it depending on a macroscopic interpretation of light refraction.
The Brewster's angle was explained to me by saying that the electrons in the medium radiate light (EM-waves), because they osciallate due to the incoming light wave. This radiation is zero in the direction of the electron (dipole) oscillation, thus when the osciallation direction is the same direction as the reflected light would be, no light would be radiated in that direction, and thus no reflection would take place. This being the case only for p-pol light.
But my question is: Doesn't this imply that the electrons oscillate at a diferent angle (refraction angle) and not oscillate at the same angle as the incoming light? I thought the refraction angle was due to the superposition of radiated light from these electrons and not already present at each individual electron. If that is the case, why would electrons oscillate at a different angle (refraction angle) in the receiving medium than they do in the incidence medium?
Could someone explain to me how the brewster angle and refraction work on a miscroscopic level, without it depending on a macroscopic interpretation of light refraction.