Total internal reflection for a long time

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the behavior of light within a square prism that facilitates total internal reflection. Participants explore the potential for interference patterns when light rays are trapped in a loop within the prism, drawing parallels to optical fibers and considering the implications of coherence and absorption of light.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes a scenario where light rays entering a square prism at a 45° angle experience total internal reflection and continue reflecting within the prism until absorbed.
  • The same participant questions whether the light would exhibit interference patterns due to its looping behavior and the conditions of coherence.
  • Another participant suggests that if the light source is monochromatic and has sufficient coherence, interference could indeed occur.
  • A later reply introduces the concept of "Whispering Gallery modes," which may relate to the behavior of light in such a system.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on whether interference patterns would be observable, with some supporting the idea under specific conditions while others remain uncertain. The discussion does not reach a consensus on the outcomes of the proposed scenario.

Contextual Notes

Assumptions include the use of a monochromatic light source with a high degree of coherence and the specific geometric configuration of the prism. The discussion does not resolve the implications of light absorption over time or the exact conditions necessary for interference.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to those studying optics, particularly in the context of total internal reflection, interference phenomena, and the behavior of light in confined geometries.

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Imagine a square prism made from some material with such an index of refraction and surrounded by a substance of such index of refraction so that light rays entering the prism and hitting one of the internal sides of the prism at an angle of incidence 45° experience total internal reflection. And since the internally reflected light rays reflect at an angle of also 45°, and the prism is a square one (90°) ,they also get internally reflected at the adjacent side of the square prism. And this goes on until all the light is slowly absorbed by the material of the prism.I know it's the same idea as the optical fibers, but I am wondering what we would see in such a prism. Will light going in a loop show interference patterns? and if it doesn't, How bright are the trapped rays going to be combined before the first of them is absorbed ?
 
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Please note that in my question i assume the incident ray to be from a monochromatic source with great enough coherent time (say a very good laser ).
 
Then yes you might get interference.
 
Google "Whispering Gallery modes".

Claude.
 
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