The discussion centers on the behavior of light at the interface between a rarer medium and a denser medium, specifically addressing the phase shift of half-wavelength that occurs upon reflection. At normal incidence, this phase-shifted light retraces its path, leading to the cancellation of waves due to boundary conditions, resulting in a standing wave pattern. The conversation also highlights that if the phase difference is zero, the resultant wave will form an antinode at the interface instead of a node, similar to sound reflection in pipes. Boundary conditions are crucial in determining the characteristics of these standing waves.
PREREQUISITESPhysics students, optical engineers, and anyone interested in wave mechanics and the behavior of light at material interfaces.
The boundary conditions at the interface insist that the waves cancel out. As you look further away from the interface you pass through regions where the waves augment and cancel - i.e. a standing wave pattern. Power flows to the right and to the left. You don't actually lose any Power.akhila_k said:
Okay. Thank you. Now if the phase difference was zero, the resultant would still be a standing wave, but now there will be an antinode at the interface instead of a node as in the previous case. Is that right?sophiecentaur said:
Thank you. That was really helpful.sophiecentaur said:
