OPTICAL PROPERTY

a materials response to exposure to electromagnetic radiation and, in particular, to visible light

What is VISIBLE light? How do materials respond to visible light?

 What is VISIBLE light? a small band of frequencies visible to the human eye among the larger electromagnetic (EM) wave spectrum

ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVE A transverse wave of mutually perpendicular, timevarying electric and magnetic fields that propagate at constant speed, c, in vacuum electromagnetic radiation can have both wave-like and particle-like properties Travels as a wave Reflection, refraction, diffraction, interference Interacts with matter like a particle, photon Photoelectric effect

THE ELECTROMAGNETIC SPECTRUM

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Light Interactions with Solids

transparent: relatively little absorption and reflection translucent: light scattered within the material opaque: relatively little transmission

Outline
BAND Theory of Solids Optical Properties of Metals Absorption Reflection Optical Properties of Non-metals Absorption Reflection Transmission Refraction

Band theory of a solid

Consider the electron energy levels of two atoms which are far apart
n=3
n=2 n=1

n=3
n=2 n=1

Atom 1

Atom 2

If the atoms are brought very close to each other, such as the case of the electrons in a SOLID, what will happen to the electron energy levels?
n=3 n=3 n=3

n=2
n=1

n=2
n=1

n=2
n=1

Atom 1

Atom 2

Atom 1 + 2

Band theory of a solid

A solid will have millions of atoms close together in a lattice so these energy levels creates bands each separated by a gap.
n=3 n=2

n=1

Optical Properties of METALS ABSORPTION

almost any frequency of light can be absorbed.

Optical Properties of METALS REFLECTION

So what happens to the excited electrons in the surface layers of metal atoms if the energy absorbed is just enough to take the electrons to a higher energy level ?
a. they stay there forever b. they relax again and release photons as reflected light

The energy lost by the descending electron is the same as the one originally incident So the metal reflects the light very well
metals are both opaque and reflective

Optical Properties of METALS

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Specular vs. Diffuse Reflection

Smooth, shiny surfaces have a

SPECULAR
reflection:
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Rough, dull surfaces have a diffuse reflection.

Diffuse reflection is
when light is scattered in different directions
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Optical Properties of Non-METALS Non-metals can be opaque or transparent to visible light

Reflection and Absorption Refraction and Transmission

Optical Properties of Non-METALS ABSORPTION

Semiconductors and insulators behave essentially the same way, the only difference being in the size of the ...
If Egap < 1.8 eV full absorption; appearance is black (Si, GaAs) If Egap > 3.1eV Transmission ; transparent (diamond) If 1.8 eV < Egap < 3.1eV partial absorption; material has a color

 http://www.columbia.edu/itc/chemistry/chemc1403/lectures/_C1403_Lecture7_100404.ppt http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultraviolet_catastrophe http://nbsp.sonoma.edu/resources/teachers_materials/physical_01/light/light.ppt How Things Work by Louis Bloomfield http://www.molphys.leidenuniv.nl/monos/smo/basics/images/wave_anim.gif users.encs.concordia.ca/~mmedraj/mech221/lecture%2024.pdf http://www.kumc.edu/ophthalmology/timberlake/lectures/1Light%20&%20Refraction.ppt www.kyc.edu.hk/studteach/teacher/hlt/userfiles/11-4_refraction_of_light.ppt Materials Science and Engineering: An Introduction, 6th Edition by Callister