More Properties of Light Waves
M. Rocha
Physics 4C
Total Internal Reflection, Polarization, Diffraction & Interference
Total Internal Reflection
Direction of Refraction
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/747994/images/4338536/pasted-from-clipboard.png)
Waves bend towards the normal when going from fast to slow
and
away from the normal when going from slow to fast
Total Internal Reflection
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/747994/images/4338652/pasted-from-clipboard.png)
When refraction angle exceeds 90º from the normal the light does not cross the interface
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/747994/images/4338657/pasted-from-clipboard.png)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/747994/images/4338671/pasted-from-clipboard.png)
Fiber optics
Total internal reflection causes light to reflect inside a solid glass/plastic tube
Atmospheric Refraction
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/747994/images/4338616/pasted-from-clipboard.png)
Wave fronts of light travel faster in the hot air near the ground, thereby bending the rays of light upward
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/747994/images/4338622/pasted-from-clipboard.png)
Polarization
Polarization
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/747994/images/4357043/pasted-from-clipboard.png)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/747994/images/4357044/pasted-from-clipboard.png)
If a rope is shaken up and down, a vertically polarized wave is produced.
If a rope is shaken from side to side, a horizontally polarized wave is produced
A vertically vibrating electron emits vertically polarized light.
A horizontally vibrating electron emits horizontally polarized light
Polarization
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/747994/images/4357115/pasted-from-clipboard.png)
![](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vvjEsKJi1tI/UC8X7jHqTMI/AAAAAAAAAA0/E6HIEOP9SZY/s1600/Reflected+Polarization_cwalker.jpg)
Polarization
Reflection of light from non-metallic surfaces results in polarization parallel to the surface
![](http://www.sunglasspicks.com/wp-content/uploads/reduceglare.jpg)
Most glare is horizontally polarized
Polarized Light and 3-D Viewing
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/747994/images/4357174/pasted-from-clipboard.png)
A 3-D slide show uses polarizing filters. The left eye sees only polarized light from one projector; the right eye sees only polarized light from the other projector
![](http://i2.wp.com/1.bp.blogspot.com/-eEKJh0JRsFE/UB0_s41KcdI/AAAAAAAAIFg/U313lvt3E5Y/s1600/glasses.jpg)
Diffraction and Interference
Wave Diffraction
Diffraction is the bending of a wavefronts as they pass the edge of an object
![](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Red3kx4ddLw/TUjWX2CKdKI/AAAAAAAAAUA/Jo3laeQBl3Q/s1600/waves5.gif)
Huygens' Principle
Every point of a wavefront may be considered the source of secondary wavelets that spread out in all directions
Huygens' principle explains wave diffraction
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/747994/images/4355589/pasted-from-clipboard.png)
Wavelength and Diffraction
Diffraction is greater when the wavelength is large compared to the size of the object or aperture
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/747994/images/4355419/pasted-from-clipboard.png)
Checkpoint 1
Two light rays of different wavelength (one blue and one red) go through a small slit opening. For which one would you expect stronger diffraction?
For the red light ray
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/747994/images/4325149/Screen_Shot_2017-11-12_at_3.23.49_PM.png)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/747994/images/4355756/Screen_Shot_2017-11-20_at_1.06.13_PM.png)
Wavelength and Diffraction
Diffraction is greater when the wavelength is large compared to the size of the object or aperture
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/747994/images/4355896/Screen_Shot_2017-11-20_at_1.38.52_PM.png)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/747994/images/4355897/Screen_Shot_2017-11-20_at_1.38.26_PM.png)
Long wavelength (> 100 m) radio waves diffract more from mountain tops, reducing shadow regions
Short wavelength (< 100 m)
radio waves diffract less, casting shadow regions.
f < 3 MHz (AM, VLF, LF, MF )
f > 3 MHz (FM, HF, VHF)
Diffraction Interference Pattern
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/747994/images/4356917/pasted-from-clipboard.png)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/747994/images/4356919/pasted-from-clipboard.png)
Wave Interference in 2D
![](https://i2.wp.com/i.giphy.com/3Jgua367NrHoI.gif?w=840)
![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-g9hWMB7PqAk/Uhpe3XC6ZbI/AAAAAAAANkM/Q82cXigwlsE/s640/blogger-image-1427436932.jpg)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/747994/images/9326340/pasted-from-clipboard.png)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/747994/images/4356005/pasted-from-clipboard.png)
Diffraction and Interference
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/747994/images/4356080/pasted-from-clipboard.png)
Constructive Interference
Destructive Interference
Diffraction and Interference
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/747994/images/9326343/pasted-from-clipboard.png)
![](https://i.stack.imgur.com/1Ubnt.png)
![](https://i.stack.imgur.com/o9XX3.png)
Interference Patterns are Wavelength Dependent
IF THEN constructive interference
IF THEN destructive interference
Where is the difference in distance traveled between waves from different sources
and m = 1, 2, 3, ... is an integer number
Checkpoint 2
By how much should a pair of monochromatic light rays differ in distance traveled to produce destructive interference?
By multiples of 1/2 wavelength
Interference Pattern as a function of wavelength
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/747994/images/10319249/pasted-from-clipboard.png)
Double-Slit Interference
IF THEN constructive interference
IF THEN destructive interference
Double-Slit Interference
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/747994/images/10319249/pasted-from-clipboard.png)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/747994/images/10319293/pasted-from-clipboard.png)
Multiple-Slit Interference
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/747994/images/10319301/pasted-from-clipboard.png)
Diffraction Gratings
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/747994/images/4356969/pasted-from-clipboard.png)
A multitude of closely spaced parallel slits makes up what is called a diffraction grating
a diffraction grating separates colors by interference
Interference From Thin Films
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/747994/images/4356983/pasted-from-clipboard.png)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/747994/images/4356984/pasted-from-clipboard.png)
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d1/Thin_film_interference_phase_1.svg/1280px-Thin_film_interference_phase_1.svg.png)
![](https://bhikkhucintita.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/soap-bubble.jpg)
Interference From Thin Films
As the thickness of the soap layer changes, different different wavelengths of light are canceled
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/747994/images/10319330/pasted-from-clipboard.png)
Interference From Thin Films
Two things to consider:
- Phase inverts if n2 > n1
- Wavelength changes as speed changes
Checkpoint 3
Constructive interference occur when
What is the smallest thickness of a soap bubble that produce constructive interference for red light of 650 nm? Use n = 1.33 for soap and assume light rays travel perpendicular to the film
Thus the smallest thickness is
The End
Properties of Light Waves - Physics 4C
By Miguel Rocha
Properties of Light Waves - Physics 4C
Physics 1 - Week 12-13 - Chapters 28-29
- 173