Extinction/Absorption/Transmission spectra

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the definitions and quantitative measurements of extinction, absorption, and transmission spectra, particularly in the context of electromagnetic waves. Participants seek clarity on how these spectra are calculated and the appropriate use of energy versus electric field in their definitions.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about the definitions of extinction, absorption, and transmission spectra, specifically questioning whether to use electric field (E) or energy (E^2) in calculations.
  • Another participant suggests that absorption, reflection, and transmission spectra are typically expressed in terms of absorbed, reflected, or transmitted energy (intensity), as this is what is measured.
  • A further reply indicates that these spectra are usually normalized to the incident energy to eliminate dependence on the source illumination.
  • One participant requests exact definitions and references for further reading, while another recommends a specific book, "Advanced Engineering Electromagnetics" by Constantine Balanis, noting that coefficients are ratios of reflected or transmitted fields to incident fields, with energy coefficients being the square of field coefficients.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a need for precise definitions and resources, but there is no consensus on the exact definitions or the preferred approach to calculating these spectra.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved questions regarding the appropriate use of electric field versus energy in the definitions of the spectra, and the discussion does not clarify the mathematical steps involved in deriving these measurements.

krindik
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Hi,
This must be a textbook question but I couldn't find exact definitions(quantitative) of these measurements
Extinction spectra:
Absorption spectra:
Transmission spectra:

eg.
Lets say electric field spectrum of some location/surface is calculated by illuminating a source with and without the presence of an object.
With the presence of the object = E_{transmitted}(\omega)
Without the presence of the object = E_{incident}(\omega)
Absorption spectra = \frac{E_{incident}(\omega) - E_{transmitted}(\omega)}{E_{incident}(\omega)}
Should it be E or E^2 (energy) ?

Can somebody point me to a book/ web resource or the answers to these definitions?
Thanks in advance
 
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Usually the absorption, reflection, and transmission spectra are given in terms of the absorbed, reflected, or transmitted *energy* (intensity) sisnce that is what is measured. Also, the spectra are (usually) obtained by normalizing to the incident energy, to remove dependence on the source illumination.
 
Could you give the exact definitions? Or any book?

Thanks in advance
 
krindik said:
Could you give the exact definitions? Or any book?

Thanks in advance

Any engineering electromagnetics book will deal with the absorption, reflection and transmission of a wave. For example, Constantine Balanis' "Advanced Engineering Electromagnetics." Pretty much though, the coefficients are simply the ratio of the reflected or transmitted field with respect to the incident field. The energy coefficients are the square of the field coefficients if I recall correctly.
 

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