Reflection and Total Internal Reflection

AI Thread Summary
Reflection refers to the bouncing back of light when it hits a surface, while total internal reflection occurs when light travels from a denser medium to a less dense one at a specific angle, resulting in all light being reflected back. However, not all scenarios of total internal reflection guarantee complete reflection, as energy loss can occur in cases like frustrated total internal reflection when a third medium with a higher refractive index is introduced. This distinction highlights the nuances in how light behaves under different conditions. Understanding these differences is crucial for applications in optics and fiber optics technology. The discussion emphasizes the importance of context in the behavior of light during reflection and total internal reflection.
sameeralord
Messages
659
Reaction score
3
What is the difference between them. Even in total internal reflection not everything is reflected. I don't get it what is the big deal?
 
Science news on Phys.org
sameeralord said:
What is the difference between them. Even in total internal reflection not everything is reflected. I don't get it what is the big deal?
Hmm..., under normal circumstances I'm pretty sure there is indeed total reflection when total internal reflection occurs... the only case whereby there is loss of energy would be via frustrated total internal reflection when a third medium of higher refractive index is placed nearby.
 
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

Is there refraction upon frustrated total internal reflection
Replies
8
Views
4K
A Iphone Reflection has a pattern
Replies
2
Views
2K
I Outer layer refractive index - total internal refection on waveguide
Replies
2
Views
2K
I Reflection on plexiglass
Replies
18
Views
1K
What's the amount of energy lost in Total Internal Reflection?
Replies
4
Views
2K
Effects of coherence length on optical interference filter
2
Replies
66
Views
5K
B Why is there a second black ring in Pfund's method with water on the Petri Dish?
Replies
11
Views
3K
Energy Loss During Total Internal Reflection
Replies
14
Views
4K
How does Total Internal Reflection in a mm/sm fiber work?
Replies
3
Views
2K
Polarisation of Light: Reflection, Critical Angle & Total Internal Reflection
Replies
8
Views
2K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top