Complex amplitude reflectance of a spherical mirror

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The complex amplitude reflectance of a spherical mirror is expressed as exp[-jk(x²+y²)/R]. This conclusion is derived from analyzing the phase accumulation of a wave reflecting off the mirror, where the additional distance traveled by the wave is calculated as d = R - √(R² - ρ²). By approximating for small ρ relative to R, the phase gained is determined to be k(2d) = k(ρ²/R), leading to the final expression for reflectance.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of wave optics and phase shifts
  • Familiarity with spherical mirrors and their properties
  • Knowledge of complex exponentials in wave equations
  • Basic calculus for approximating functions
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of the transmittance of spherical mirrors using exp[jk(x²+y²)/2f]
  • Explore the implications of phase shifts in optical systems
  • Learn about the application of complex amplitude in wave optics
  • Investigate the behavior of light in different reflective surfaces
USEFUL FOR

Optics students, physicists, and engineers involved in wave propagation and optical design will benefit from this discussion.

semc
Messages
364
Reaction score
5

Homework Statement


Prove the complex amplitude reflectance of a spherical mirror is given as exp[-jk(x2+y2)/R]


Homework Equations


Transmittance of a spherical mirror is also exp[jk(x2+y2)/2f]


The Attempt at a Solution


I have totally no idea how to go about doing this. Can I just say that the reflectance is the same as the transmittance just that the wave changes the direction of propagation?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
I realize this is late but here it goes:

See how much phase you accumulate, relative to the plane wave that travels along the optical axis and bounces off a planar mirror.

If you are looking at the plane wave ##\rho = \sqrt{x^2+y^2}## away from the axis in the plane ##z=0## (mirror centre is at ##z=R## ), then to get to the mirror you need to travel additional distance ##d##. Denote ##z_0## the z at which the ray intersects with the mirror at a given ##\rho##.

$$d = z_0 = R - \sqrt{R^2 - \rho^2} = R - R\sqrt{1-(\frac \rho R)^2}$$

Assuming ##\rho## is small (we are close to the axis) compared to R, we can write
$$\sqrt{1-(\frac \rho R)^2} = 1-\frac {\rho^2} {2R^2}$$
and so
$$d = \frac {\rho^2} {2R}$$

Because we traverse that distance twice, the phase gained is ##k*2d = k \frac {\rho^2} {R}## and your complex reflectance is ##e^{ik \frac {\rho^2} {R}}##
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
4K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
7
Views
2K