Chapter 28: Problem 41
A thin coating \((t=340.0 \mathrm{nm}, n=1.480)\) is placed on a glass lens. Which visible \((400 \mathrm{nm}<\lambda<700 \mathrm{nm})\) wavelength(s) will be absent in the reflected beam if (a) the glass has an index of refraction \(n=1.350,\) and \((b)\) the glass has an index of refraction \(n=1.675 ?\)
Short Answer
Step by step solution
Understand the Question
Identify the Relevant Formula
Determine the Effective Wavelength
Implement Glass Index Conditions - Part (a)
Calculate Absent Wavelength for Part (a)
Implement Glass Index Conditions - Part (b)
Calculate Absent Wavelength for Part (b)
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Destructive Interference
For destructive interference to occur in a thin film, the reflected waves need to be out of phase by half a wavelength. This means that when one wave has a crest, the other has a trough. Mathematically, the condition for destructive interference in a thin film of refractive index \( n \) and thickness \( t \) is defined by the formula:
\[ 2nt = (m + \frac{1}{2})\lambda_n \]
where:
- \( n \) is the refractive index of the film,
- \( t \) is the thickness of the film,
- \( \lambda_n \) is the wavelength of light within the film, and
- \( m \) is an integer representing the order of the interference.
This condition ensures that certain wavelengths destructively interfere and do not appear in the reflected light.
Refractive Index
In our problem scenario, we deal with a thin film of refractive index \( n = 1.480 \). The refractive index alters the wavelength of light inside the material compared to its wavelength in air. This change is calculated as:
\[ \lambda_n = \frac{\lambda}{n} \]
where \( \lambda \) is the wavelength in air.
The refractive index also impacts whether there is a phase shift upon reflection. When light reflects from a medium with a higher refractive index than the medium it comes from, it undergoes a phase shift of half a wavelength (180 degrees). Conversely, if the light reflects from a medium with a lower refractive index, no phase shift occurs. This phenomenon plays a crucial role in determining whether constructive or destructive interference will take place.
Wavelength Calculation
\[ \lambda_n = \frac{\lambda}{1.480} \]
Once we know the effective wavelength within the film, we use the formula for destructive interference:
\[ 2nt = (m + \frac{1}{2})\lambda_n \]
From here, solving for the wavelength \( \lambda \) in air gives us:
\[ \lambda = \frac{2n^2t}{m + \frac{1}{2}} \]
This equation allows us to calculate which wavelengths will not be reflected due to destructive interference.
For visible light, which ranges from 400 nm to 700 nm, only specific wavelengths determined by the index \( m \) will be absent. By plugging different integer values of \( m \) into our wavelength calculation formula, we can determine these absent wavelengths. In the problem at hand, repeated calculations confirm the absent wavelength as 671.4 nm within the visible range.