All Questions
25
questions
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46
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How can a greater than 1 reflectance coefficient be explained in $\rm SiC$-$\rm SiO_2$ interface?
I ran a simulation using the Transfer Matrix Method to plot the R,T and A curves for a SiC->SiO2 interface. There's a region of incident energies where the |r|^2 I get is higher than 1 and the ...
- 11
1
vote
1
answer
209
views
How to understand the Fresnel relation $1+R=T$? [closed]
From the perspective of energy conservation, we are familiar with the relation $T+R=1$ (Set the incident wave amplitude as 1, $T$ and $R$ are Fresnel transmission and reflection coefficient, supposing ...
- 45
1
vote
0
answers
23
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Effective Refractive Index: Where does this formula come from? [duplicate]
In the paper, entitled "Artificial uniaxial and biaxial dielectrics with use
of two-dimensional subwavelength binary gratings" by Eric B. Grann, M. G. Moharam, and Drew A. Pommet. https://www....
- 829
1
vote
0
answers
88
views
Snells Law derivation from Plane Wave incidence
I am trying to derive snell's law from plane wave incidence by imposing the condition that the phase of the incident, reflected and transmitted wave at the point of incidence must be equal. Here's ...
- 111
3
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Do clouds reflect radio waves?
Do clouds reflect radio waves? Specifically, those waves used in radars.
And, what kind of matter refracts or reflects radio waves?
- 31
0
votes
1
answer
70
views
Total internal reflection of sine wave vs smooth step function [closed]
If an electric field described by the function
$$f(t)= \begin{cases}
0&\text{if}\ t<0\\
\sin(t)&\text{if}\ 0\leq t\leq \frac\pi2\\
\ 1&\text{if}\ t>\frac\pi2
\end{cases}$$
...
- 3
2
votes
1
answer
150
views
Does total reflection occur when the wave is incident at a grazing incidence (angle of incidence equal to 90 degrees)?
I've posted the picture below from Introduction to Electrodynamics by Griffiths, 3rd edition. Is the phenomenon described talking about total internal reflection? Is it necessary for the incident ...
- 25
3
votes
1
answer
536
views
Why certain objects reflect while some refract?
Both reflection and refraction are processes where absorption and re-emission of electromagnetic waves occur, but they differ in the direction of re-emission. What factor particularly decides the ...
user197535
11
votes
4
answers
2k
views
How can reflection and refraction be explained classically and microscopically?
I was trying to explain something about Brewster's angle and realized I don't completely understand how reflection and refraction work on the microscopic, classical level.
Consider a plane polarized ...
- 103k
8
votes
4
answers
3k
views
Is reflection and refraction the same thing - bouncing of light?
I've been trying to wrap my head around what determines whether a ray of light is being reflected or refracted. A beam of light does both, as shown in this picture.
http://sc663dcag.weebly.com/uploads/...
12
votes
4
answers
6k
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Why does light not polarise off metallic surface?
I am aware that light partially polarizes upon reflection off a non-metallic surface, however, why is it that this only occurs for non-metallic surfaces?
- 1,720
7
votes
1
answer
3k
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What is happening at a atomic level when light hits an object?
I just began learning light and optics and I am just so confused about what reflection, refraction and absorption is. I think a large part of my confusion stems from exactly what happens at an ...
- 823
8
votes
1
answer
485
views
Does total internal reflection really reflect every single photon?
In certain cases of refraction, light can be totally internally reflected (TIR) instead of being transmitted. One learns that literally 100% of the light is reflected back in such an interaction.
My ...
- 803
-1
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Does same refractive index for two objects mean that no reflection of light will take place? if yes then why? [closed]
I have had this doubt since I read the vanishing glass bowl in glycerin. If you know about that then please explain the phenomena behind it.
2
votes
2
answers
492
views
Explanation of Reflection and Refraction
I've studied Huygens wave theory. But Huygens assumed that light is a wave in 'ether' which we know doesn't exist. Light is basically a electromagnetic wave. So I want to understand how light actually ...
- 1,324