Light Bending: Why Don't Waves Bend at Normal Incidence?

AI Thread Summary
Light waves do not bend at normal incidence because the entire wavefront enters the medium simultaneously, resulting in no change in direction. In isotropic media, this means there is no refraction as the light travels straight through. However, in anisotropic media, light can change direction even at normal incidence due to variations in the medium's properties. The discussion highlights the fundamental differences in behavior between isotropic and anisotropic materials regarding light wave propagation. Understanding these principles is crucial for applications in optics and material science.
SAJAN MUHAMMAD
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
why light waves do not bend at normal incidence?
 
Science news on Phys.org
Because all of the light's wavefront enters the medium at the same time.
 
SAJAN MUHAMMAD said:
why light waves do not bend at normal incidence?
Which direction would it bend towards?
 
  • Like
Likes sophiecentaur
SAJAN MUHAMMAD said:
why light waves do not bend at normal incidence?
That is for isotropic medium. When the medium is of anisotropic type, direction change can occur even in normal incidence.
 
Thread 'A quartet of epi-illumination methods'

Thread 'A quartet of epi-illumination methods'

Well, it took almost 20 years (!!!), but I finally obtained a set of epi-phase microscope objectives (Zeiss). The principles of epi-phase contrast is nearly identical to transillumination phase contrast, but the phase ring is a 1/8 wave retarder rather than a 1/4 wave retarder (because with epi-illumination, the light passes through the ring twice). This method was popular only for a very short period of time before epi-DIC (differential interference contrast) became widely available. So...
View full post »

Thread 'Effective absorption coefficient of gold nanoparticles'

I am currently undertaking a research internship where I am modelling the heating of silicon wafers with a 515 nm femtosecond laser. In order to increase the absorption of the laser into the oxide layer on top of the wafer it was suggested we use gold nanoparticles. I was tasked with modelling the optical properties of a 5nm gold nanoparticle, in particular the absorption cross section, using COMSOL Multiphysics. My model seems to be getting correct values for the absorption coefficient and...
View full post »

Similar threads

Optics: Huygens' principle and bending of light
Replies
2
Views
2K
I Light Refraction, Biconvex Lens, Diagram Help
Replies
9
Views
3K
Why does light take a longer path in a rarer medium?
Replies
9
Views
2K
Refraction of Light: Myth or Reality?
Replies
41
Views
4K
How much Gravity is needed to bend light?
Replies
2
Views
6K
I Does light bend around black holes?
Replies
49
Views
5K
I Reframing Light Bending Using Density Instead of Radius
Replies
20
Views
551
Why does light bend on refraction?
Replies
11
Views
4K
Bending light by use of a strong field...
Replies
6
Views
1K
If light cannot bend, then how magnify glass works?
Replies
25
Views
3K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top