Do Spectral Reflectance Curves Change with Different Surrounding Media?

  • Context: Graduate 
  • Thread starter Thread starter picobyte88
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Curve Reflectance
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

Spectral reflectance curves are indeed dependent on the interface between the reflector and the surrounding medium. Specifically, the Fresnel reflection coefficients, which are influenced by the refractive indices of both the reflector and the medium, play a crucial role in determining these curves. For instance, a silver mirror in air will exhibit different spectral reflectance characteristics compared to the same mirror in a semiconductor due to the contrast in refractive indices. This relationship highlights the importance of both material properties and the surrounding environment in optical measurements.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Fresnel equations
  • Knowledge of refractive index concepts
  • Familiarity with optical properties of materials
  • Basic principles of light reflection
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the application of Fresnel reflection coefficients in optical design
  • Explore the effects of different materials on spectral reflectance
  • Study the impact of refractive index on light behavior in various media
  • Investigate experimental methods for measuring spectral reflectance curves
USEFUL FOR

Optical engineers, materials scientists, and researchers in photonics who are interested in the effects of surrounding media on reflectance properties.

picobyte88
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
Hello,

Are spectral reflectance curves dependent on the interface between the reflector and surrounding medium? For example would they be different if I had a silver mirror in air compared with silver mirror in a semiconductor? I think they would be because of the refractive index contrast, or are spectral reflectance curves just dependent on direction of light and material properties of the reflector?

Thanks!
Sophia
 
Science news on Phys.org
Yes- the Fresnel reflection coefficients involve both refractive indices.
 

Similar threads

Undergrad Outer layer refractive index - total internal refection on waveguide
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Graduate Reflection and transmission of waves in a medium of nonuniform density
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K
Graduate Exploring Reflection Shifts in Beam Splitters
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Graduate Turning the refraction formula into reflection: Negative index
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
4K
Graduate Thin film interference and anti-reflective coating
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Graduate Strategy for interference problems
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
Total Internal Reflection and Transmitted Wavelength
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
948
Graduate Fourier-transform Infrared Spectroscopy Thin Film Thickness
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
Undergrad Amplitude reflection coefficient for high to low refractive index
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
8K
Undergrad Optics - Having trouble with a few concepts
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K