[thin films] (Macleod's) phase-shift upon reflection

  • Context: Graduate 
  • Thread starter Thread starter DivGradCurl
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Reflection Thin films
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the derivation of the phase shift upon reflection as presented in the third edition of "Thin Film Optical Filters" by Macleod. The key expressions derived include the reflection coefficient ρ and the final phase shift formula φ, which is expressed as φ = arctan |(η_m Im{BC* - CB*})/(η_m² BB* - CC*)|. The relationship between the incident medium's optical admittance η_0 and the substrate's admittance η_m is emphasized, noting that while they can be equal, it is not a requirement for the derivation. The discussion concludes with a clarification that expression (12) is a more accurate representation of the phase shift.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of optical admittance and its definitions
  • Familiarity with complex numbers and their operations
  • Knowledge of reflection coefficients in optics
  • Basic grasp of thin film interference principles
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of the reflection coefficient in detail
  • Explore the implications of varying optical admittance in thin films
  • Learn about the applications of phase shifts in optical coatings
  • Investigate the mathematical properties of complex matrices in optics
USEFUL FOR

Optical engineers, physicists, and materials scientists who are involved in the design and analysis of thin film optical systems, as well as students studying advanced optics and photonics.

DivGradCurl
Messages
364
Reaction score
0
Folks,

I'm reading the 3rd edition of Thin Film Optical Filters by Macleod, and I've derived his expression for phase shift upon reflection (page 45). Finally, it lead me to a question. Any help is highly appreciated!

\rm E_i + E_r = E_t \qquad (1)
\rm H_i - H_r = H_t \qquad (2)

Rewrite (2) using the definition of tilted optical admittance:

\rm \eta_0 E_i - \eta_0 E_r = \eta_1 E_t \qquad (3)

Substitute (1) into (3):

\rm \eta_0 E_i - \eta_0 E_r = \eta_1 \left( E_i + E_r \right) \qquad (4)

Rearrange (4):

\rm E_i \left( \eta_0 - \eta_1 \right) = E_r \left( \eta_0 + \eta_1 \right) \qquad (5)

Apply the definition of reflection coefficient \rho:

\rho \equiv \rm \frac{E_r}{E_i} = \frac{ \eta_0 - \eta_1}{ \eta_0 + \eta_1} \qquad (6)

Replace \eta_1 by the input optical admittance Y in (6):

\rho = \frac{ \eta_0 - Y}{ \eta_0 + Y} \qquad (7)

By definition, Y \equiv C/B. Then

\rho = \frac{ \eta_0 - C/B}{ \eta_0 + C/B} = \frac{ \eta_0 B - C}{ \eta_0 B + C} \qquad (8)

From the general form of the characteristic matrix

\begin{bmatrix} <br /> \displaystyle B \\<br /> \displaystyle C <br /> \end{bmatrix} = <br /> \begin{bmatrix}<br /> \displaystyle \alpha &amp; \displaystyle i\beta \\<br /> \displaystyle i\gamma &amp; \displaystyle \delta <br /> \end{bmatrix} <br /> \begin{bmatrix}<br /> \displaystyle 1 \\<br /> \displaystyle \eta_m<br /> \end{bmatrix} =<br /> \begin{bmatrix}<br /> \displaystyle \alpha + i\beta \eta _m \\<br /> \displaystyle \delta \eta_m + i \gamma<br /> \end{bmatrix} \qquad (9)<br />

let B = \alpha + i\beta \eta _m and C = \delta \eta_m + i \gamma in (8).

(problems previewing all of this latex code in one post - I'll break it up - please wait)
 
Science news on Phys.org
OK. Part II...

Therefore

\rho = \frac{\eta_0 \left( \eta_m ^2 \beta^2 + \alpha ^2 \right) - \eta _m ^2 \delta ^2 - \gamma ^2 + i \, 2 \eta_0 \left( \eta_m ^2 \beta \delta - \alpha \gamma \right)}{\eta_0 \left( \eta_m ^2 \beta^2 + \alpha ^2 \right) + 2 \eta_0 \eta_m \left( \alpha \delta + \beta \gamma \right) + \eta _m ^2 \delta ^2 + \gamma ^2} \qquad (10)

so

\varphi = \arctan \left| \frac{2 \eta_0 \left( \eta_m ^2 \beta \delta - \alpha \gamma \right)}{\eta_0 \left( \eta_m ^2 \beta^2 + \alpha ^2 \right) - \left( \eta _m ^2 \delta ^2 + \gamma ^2 \right)} \right| \qquad (11)

By inspection of (11), it follows

\varphi = \arctan \left| \frac{\eta_0 \Im \left\{ B C ^{\ast} - CB^{\ast} \right\} }{\eta_0 ^2 BB^{\ast} - CC^{\ast}} \right| \qquad (12)

Finally, if \eta_0 = \eta_m, I arrive at Macleod's expression for phase-shift upon reflection

\varphi = \arctan \left| \frac{\eta_m \Im \left\{ B C ^{\ast} - CB^{\ast} \right\} }{\eta_m ^2 BB^{\ast} - CC^{\ast}} \right| \qquad (13)

Note: \eta_m is the tilted optical admittance of the "substrate" or outgoing medium, whereas \eta_0 corresponds to the incident medium. They can be made the same, but are not required to always be the same. That's the point. With that in mind, I should say expression (12) is a more appropriate description. Sounds simple, but I can be wrong. Please let me know what you think. Thanks!
 
Last edited:

Similar threads

  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
3K
Replies
2
Views
4K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
5K
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K