Huygen's Principle: Understanding Light Diffraction and Refraction in Materials

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In summary: I am having a bit of a problem understanding why you want to "merge" Huygen's principle with actual QM description of optical transport in matter (which you can learn from solid state/condensed matter physics, or in our FAQ). Huygen's principle, as we know it now, is more of a "phenomenological model" of classical optics. There are many aspects of such models that will simply not work when you try to incorporate atoms and matter into such things.
  • #1
Physicsissuef
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I want to know, when there is diffraction or refraction of light, are the atoms inside of the material releasing also waves in whole directions, like on this pictures:
http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/5714/80472685hw1.jpg"
 
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  • #2
It is not atoms that release the wavelets, it's the wavefront itself.

Claude.
 
  • #3
Claude Bile said:
It is not atoms that release the wavelets, it's the wavefront itself.

Claude.

Do the lattice atoms from inside of the material release waves?
 
  • #4
Anybody know?
 
  • #5
Physicsissuef said:
Do the lattice atoms from inside of the material release waves?
Assuming that, by "release" you mean "emit"...

Any atom can emit waves through spontaneous or stimulated emission.

If, however a wave passes through a transparent medium, then it is incorrect (or, at best, misleading) to say that the atoms within the medium have "emitted" a wave.

Claude.
 
  • #6
Claude Bile said:
Assuming that, by "release" you mean "emit"...

Any atom can emit waves through spontaneous or stimulated emission.

If, however a wave passes through a transparent medium, then it is incorrect (or, at best, misleading) to say that the atoms within the medium have "emitted" a wave.

Claude.

But Huygen's principle can't explain what happens in the inner structure of the material, when there is transparent medium.
Is in mirrors, have total reflection, aren't there any refraction?
 
  • #7
With a mirror there is no refraction. It is completely refecting what hit it. I'm sure some energy gets absorbed in the process.
 
  • #8
Physicsissuef said:
But Huygen's principle can't explain what happens in the inner structure of the material, when there is transparent medium.
Is in mirrors, have total reflection, aren't there any refraction?

I am having a bit of a problem understanding why you want to "merge" Huygen's principle with actual QM description of optical transport in matter (which you can learn from solid state/condensed matter physics, or in our FAQ). Huygen's principle, as we know it now, is more of a "phenomenological model" of classical optics. There are many aspects of such models that will simply not work when you try to incorporate atoms and matter into such things.

Zz.
 
  • #9
Yes, I also thought that it is just one model for describing what happens when there is reflection or refraction. Anyway, I have read so many articles, is it light EM wave, particle or mixture of both?
 
  • #10
Read our FAQ.

Zz.
 

1. What is Huygen's Principle?

Huygen's Principle is a theory in physics that describes how light behaves when it encounters an obstacle or passes through a material. It states that every point on a wavefront can be considered as a source of secondary wavelets, which then combine to form a new wavefront.

2. How does Huygen's Principle explain light diffraction?

Huygen's Principle explains light diffraction by showing how the secondary wavelets created at the edges of an obstacle interfere with each other, resulting in a diffraction pattern. This interference causes the light to spread out and bend around the edges of the obstacle.

3. What is the relationship between Huygen's Principle and light refraction?

Huygen's Principle also explains light refraction by showing how the speed of light changes when it passes through different materials. The secondary wavelets created by the primary wavefront change their direction and speed as they enter and exit different materials, resulting in the bending of light rays.

4. Can Huygen's Principle be applied to all types of waves?

Yes, Huygen's Principle can be applied to all types of waves, including electromagnetic waves and sound waves. It is a fundamental concept in wave theory and has been used to explain various phenomena in different fields of science.

5. What are some practical applications of Huygen's Principle?

Huygen's Principle has many practical applications, including understanding how light behaves in different materials, designing optical instruments such as lenses and mirrors, and studying the properties of diffraction and interference. It also plays a crucial role in the development of technologies such as holography and fiber optic communication.

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