Does a Light Pulse Undergo Phase Shift in a Denser Medium?

oreo · Jan 16, 2015

When a pulse of light enters a denser medium(slow medium) then is there phase shift or rather it passes unshifted?

phinds · Jan 16, 2015

shayan haider said:

When a pulse of light enters a denser medium(slow medium) then is there phase shift or rather it passes unshifted?

Interesting question. I can't give an answer other than my opinion which is that it does not ... it just slows down a bit. To me, it seems as though a phase shift as it enters the medium would imply a discontinuity and I can't see that happening.

Doc Al · Jan 16, 2015

shayan haider said:

When a pulse of light enters a denser medium(slow medium) then is there phase shift or rather it passes unshifted?

There is no phase shift of the transmitted pulse. (There will be a phase shift of the reflected pulse.)

Does a Light Pulse Undergo Phase Shift in a Denser Medium?

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Does a Light Pulse Undergo Phase Shift in a Denser Medium?

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