A ray of light is incident onto the interface between material 1 and material 2.

Question

A ray of light is incident onto the interface between material 1 and material 2. (Figure 1)

Rank these scenarios on the basis of the phase shift in the reflected ray.

a) n1=1.00, n2=1.33

b) n1=1.50, n2=1.33

c) n1=1.33, n2=1.46

d) n1=1.00, n2=1.46

e) n1=1.33, n2=1.42

f) n1=1.33, n2=1.00

A ray of light is incident onto the interface between material 1 and material 2. (Figure 1) Rank these scenarios on the basis of the phase shift in the reflected ray. a) n1=1.00, n2=1.33 b) n1=1.50, n2=1.33 c) n1=1.33, n2=1.46 d) n1=1.00, n2=1.46 e) n1=1.33, n2=1.42 f) n1=1.33, n2=1.00

Explanation / Answer

When a light ray goes from a less dense medium to a more dense medium something called a hard reflection occurs. In the case of a hard reflection the reflected ray has a phase shift of 1/2 lambda (wavelength). When a light ray goes from a more dense medium to a less dense medium it undergoes a soft reflection in which there is no phase change. The higher the index of refraction the more dense the substance is. For example going from water to quartz, quartz has a higher index of refraction so it is more dense, thus the reflected wave will have a phase change of 1/2 lambda. If your ranking them the one with the highest difference in index's of refraction will have the greatest phase change.

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