OPTICAL PROPERTIES

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

Electromagnetic radiation
energy radiated in the form of a wave consisting of electric and magnetic field components that are perpendicular to each other and also to the direction of propagation

Electromagnetic spectrum
spans the wide range from -rays through radiowaves

Electromagnetic Spectrum

Speed of light in vacuum: c = 3 x 108 m/s

LIGHT INTERACTIONS WITH SOLIDS

When light proceeds from one medium into another, the following may happen:

1. 2. 3. 4.

Reflection Refraction Transmission Absorption

REFLECTION
Law of Reflection The incident ray, the reflected ray, and the normal to the surface all lie in the same plane, and the angle of reflection r equals the angle of incidence i.

r = i

2 Types of Reflection
1. Specular Reflection when parallel light rays strike a smooth, plane surface, the reflected rays are parallel to each other.

Reflections on still water are an example of specular reflection.

Diffuse Reflection when parallel light rays strike an irregular surface, the reflected rays are in various directions

The image blurs when the water is rough.

REFRACTION bending of light due to change in velocity

Index of refraction: n = c/v where c = speed of light in vacuum v = speed of light in a medium vacuum: n = 1 air: n 1

Indices of Refraction for some materials Substance

Glass Polycarbonate Salt Diamond Ice Water

n
1.523 1.584 1.544 2.419 1.309 1.33

Snells Law of Refraction

When light travels from a material with refractive index n1 into a material with refractive index n2, the refracted ray, the incident ray, and the normal to the surface all lie in the same plane. The angle of refraction 2 is related to the angle of incidence 1 by n1sin1 = n2sin2

Transparent materials that are capable of transmitting light with relatively little absorption and reflection Translucent materials through which light is transmitted diffusely, that is, light is scattered within the interior Opaque materials that are impervious to the transmission of visible light

Problems
1. A beam of light is traveling in air and strikes a material. The angles of incidence and refraction are 63 and 21.6, respectively. (a) What is the angle of reflection? (b) What is the index of refraction of the material? (c) What is the material? 2. Using a laser and electronic timing device, you find that light travels 2.5 m within a plastic rod in 11.5 x 10-9 s. What is the index of refraction of the plastic? 3. What is the speed of light in diamond, glass and water?