Thin Film Interference: How does Maxwell's Equations Explain?

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

Thin film interference is explained through Maxwell's equations, particularly regarding the phase change of reflected light when transitioning between media of different refractive indices. When light reflects off a boundary from a lower to a higher index of refraction, a phase change of half a wavelength occurs. Conversely, no phase change occurs when light reflects from a higher to a lower index medium. This phenomenon is crucial for understanding thin film interference patterns in optics.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Maxwell's equations
  • Knowledge of refractive index concepts
  • Familiarity with light reflection and refraction principles
  • Basic grasp of thin film interference phenomena
NEXT STEPS
  • Study Maxwell's equations in detail
  • Research the principles of phase change in optics
  • Explore thin film interference applications in real-world scenarios
  • Examine E&M textbooks for comprehensive explanations
USEFUL FOR

Physics students, optical engineers, and anyone interested in the principles of light behavior in different media.

physicsnoob93
Messages
169
Reaction score
0
Not really a homework problem. Just wanted to know:

When light moves from a medium of lower index of refraction to that of a higher index of refraction, the reflected ray suffers a phase change. (Thin film interference)

But the other way round, this doesn't happen. This can be shown by maxwell's equations according to my physics text. But how?!

If somebody could show it to me, thank you.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
You could always check any E&M textbook from the library or google for it. It would be too much work to explain here so here is a link from a simple google search:

http://www.usna.edu/Users/physics/mungan/Scholarship/PhaseChange.pdf

You can find many more like that.
 
Last edited by a moderator:

Similar threads

Effect on visibility of thin films due to interference
  • · Replies 35 ·
2
Replies
35
Views
3K
How Does Thin Film Interference Affect Light Reflection?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
A problem involving thin film interference
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Graduate Structural coloration of a zeolite monolayer
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
AP physics 2: Phase change in thin film interference
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
909
Undergrad How to know what m value to plug into thin film interference equations
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
13K
The maximum intensity for light transmitted through a thin film
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
4K
Finding the Minimum Thickness for Destructive Interference in Thin Films
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
6K
Graduate Interference in thin films; confusion regarding geometry
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
1K
Thin film interference and external / internal reflection
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K