PH2101 Assignment 8 Solutions

Fresnel’s Equations for s-Polarization

Question no 1
Derive Fresnel’s equations for the reflection and transmission coefficients for
light polarized perpendicular (s-polarization) to the plane of incidence.

Solution:
Consider a plane electromagnetic wave incident on the boundary between
two media with refractive indices n1 and n2 at an angle of incidence θi . The
electric field vector is perpendicular to the plane of incidence (s-polarized).
Let:

• Ei be the amplitude of the incident electric field.

• Er be the amplitude of the reflected electric field.

• Et be the amplitude of the transmitted (refracted) electric field.

The boundary conditions at the interface between two media require that
the tangential components of the electric field and the magnetic field must
be continuous across the boundary.
For the electric fields:

Ei cos(θi ) + Er cos(θr ) = Et cos(θt )

For the magnetic fields:

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 Ei Er Et
+ =
η1 η1 η2
Given:

θr = θi
n1 sin(θi ) = n2 sin(θt )

Deriving the Reflection Coefficient (rs )

Using the boundary conditions for the electric fields:

Ei + Er = Et cos(θt )/ cos(θi )
For the magnetic fields:
Ei Er Et
− = cos(θi )/ cos(θt )
η1 η1 η2
Expressing η in terms of n and θ:
Ei Er Et
− = cos(θi )/ cos(θt )
n1 n1 n2
Combine and solve for rs :

Er n1 cos(θi ) − n2 cos(θt )
rs = =
Ei n1 cos(θi ) + n2 cos(θt )

Deriving the Transmission Coefficient (ts )

Similarly, for the transmission coefficient:

Et 2n1 cos(θi )
ts = =
Ei n1 cos(θi ) + n2 cos(θt )

Final Equations
The Fresnel equations for s-polarization (perpendicular polarization) are:
1. **Reflection Coefficient (rs ):**

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 n1 cos(θi ) − n2 cos(θt )
rs =
n1 cos(θi ) + n2 cos(θt )
2. **Transmission Coefficient (ts ):**

2n1 cos(θi )
ts =
n1 cos(θi ) + n2 cos(θt )

Question no 2
Calculate (i) the angle for total internal reflection, (ii) Brewster’s angle, for
air-glass (or glass-air as the case may be) interface. The refractive index of
the glass is 3/2. What is the angle at which the reflected and the transmitted
beams have the same intensities?

Answer
1. Angle for Total Internal Reflection
Total internal reflection occurs when light travels from a medium with a
higher refractive index to a medium with a lower refractive index, and the
angle of incidence exceeds a certain critical angle.
The critical angle θc can be found using Snell’s Law:

n1 sin(θi ) = n2 sin(θt )
For total internal reflection:
3
n1 = (refractive index of glass)
2
n2 = 1 (refractive index of air)
θt = 90◦ (angle of refraction at the critical angle)

Using Snell’s Law at the critical angle:

3
sin(θc ) = 1 sin(90◦ )
2

3
 2
sin(θc ) =
3
Thus,
 
−1 2
θc = sin ≈ 41.8◦
3

2. Brewster’s Angle
Brewster’s angle θB is the angle at which light with a particular polarization
is perfectly transmitted through a transparent dielectric surface, with no
reflection.
Brewster’s angle is given by:
n2
tan(θB ) =
n1
For the air-glass interface:

n1 = 1 (refractive index of air)

3
n2 = (refractive index of glass)
2
3
2 3
tan(θB ) = =
1 2
Thus,
 
−1 3
θB = tan ≈ 56.3◦
2

3. Angle for Equal Intensity of Reflected and

Transmitted Beams
For the angle at which the reflected and the transmitted beams have the
same intensities, we look at the reflection coefficient R. The condition for
equal intensities occurs when R = 0.5.
The reflection coefficient R for perpendicular (s-polarization) incidence
is:

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  2
n1 cos(θi ) − n2 cos(θt )
R=
n1 cos(θi ) + n2 cos(θt )
Setting R = 0.5:
3 2
2
cos(θi ) − cos(θt )
3 = 0.5
2
cos(θi ) + cos(θt )
Solving this equation involves iterative or graphical methods. Let:
3
ng =
2

na = 1
For simplicity, let’s consider small angles where cos(θ) ≈ 1:
3 2
2
−1
3 = 0.5
2
+1

Question no 3
A right circularly polarized light is normally incident at a boundary and gets
reflected. Is the reflected beam right circularly polarized or left circularly
polarized? Explain in detail.

Answer
**Circular Polarization:**
Circular polarization of light is a state where the electric field vector
rotates in a circular motion around the direction of propagation. There are
two types of circular polarization: right circular polarization (RCP) and left
circular polarization (LCP).
1. **Right Circular Polarization (RCP):** - The electric field rotates
clockwise when viewed along the direction of propagation. - The mathemat-
ical representation can be given by:

ERCP (z, t) = E0 (x̂ cos(kz − ωt) + ŷ sin(kz − ωt))

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 2. **Left Circular Polarization (LCP):** - The electric field rotates coun-
terclockwise when viewed along the direction of propagation. - The mathe-
matical representation can be given by:

ELCP (z, t) = E0 (x̂ cos(kz − ωt) − ŷ sin(kz − ωt))

**Reflection at a Boundary:**
When circularly polarized light is normally incident on a boundary be-
tween two media, the reflection process can alter its polarization state.
**Phase Change Upon Reflection:**
Upon reflection, the electric field components experience a phase change
of π (180 degrees). This phase change affects the relative phase between the
orthogonal components of the electric field, thus altering the sense of circular
polarization.
**Mathematical Explanation:**
For right circularly polarized light (RCP), the electric field can be decom-
posed into two linearly polarized components along the x and y axes:

ERCP = E0 (x̂ cos(kz − ωt) + ŷ sin(kz − ωt))

Upon reflection, each component of the electric field undergoes a phase
shift of π:

ERCP, reflected = E0 (x̂ cos(kz − ωt + π) + ŷ sin(kz − ωt + π))

Using the trigonometric identities cos(θ + π) = − cos(θ) and sin(θ + π) =
− sin(θ), we get:

ERCP, reflected = E0 (−x̂ cos(kz − ωt) − ŷ sin(kz − ωt))

This can be rewritten as:

ERCP, reflected = E0 (x̂ cos(kz − ωt) − ŷ sin(kz − ωt))

The resultant electric field represents left circular polarization (LCP).

Question no 4
A right circularly polarized light is normally incident at a boundary and gets
reflected. Is the reflected beam right circularly polarized or left circularly
polarized? Explain in detail.

6
Answer
**Circular Polarization:**
Circular polarization of light is a state where the electric field vector
rotates in a circular motion around the direction of propagation. There are
two types of circular polarization: right circular polarization (RCP) and left
circular polarization (LCP).
1. **Right Circular Polarization (RCP):** - The electric field rotates
clockwise when viewed along the direction of propagation. - The mathemat-
ical representation can be given by:

ERCP (z, t) = E0 (x̂ cos(kz − ωt) + ŷ sin(kz − ωt))

2. **Left Circular Polarization (LCP):** - The electric field rotates coun-
terclockwise when viewed along the direction of propagation. - The mathe-
matical representation can be given by:

ELCP (z, t) = E0 (x̂ cos(kz − ωt) − ŷ sin(kz − ωt))

**Reflection at a Boundary:**
When circularly polarized light is normally incident on a boundary be-
tween two media, the reflection process can alter its polarization state.
**Phase Change Upon Reflection:**
Upon reflection, the electric field components experience a phase change
of π (180 degrees). This phase change affects the relative phase between the
orthogonal components of the electric field, thus altering the sense of circular
polarization.
**Mathematical Explanation:**
For right circularly polarized light (RCP), the electric field can be decom-
posed into two linearly polarized components along the x and y axes:

ERCP = E0 (x̂ cos(kz − ωt) + ŷ sin(kz − ωt))

Upon reflection, each component of the electric field undergoes a phase
shift of π:

ERCP, reflected = E0 (x̂ cos(kz − ωt + π) + ŷ sin(kz − ωt + π))

Using the trigonometric identities cos(θ + π) = − cos(θ) and sin(θ + π) =
− sin(θ), we get:

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 ERCP, reflected = E0 (−x̂ cos(kz − ωt) − ŷ sin(kz − ωt))
This can be rewritten as:

ERCP, reflected = E0 (x̂ cos(kz − ωt) − ŷ sin(kz − ωt))

The resultant electric field represents left circular polarization (LCP).

Question no 5
A double-slit diffraction pattern is formed using mercury green light at 546.1
nm. Each slit has a width of 0.1 mm. The pattern reveals that the fourth-
order interference maxima are missing from the pattern. What is the slit
separation? What is the irradiance of the first three orders of interference
fringes, relative to the zeroth-order maximum?

Answer
1. Finding the Slit Separation (d)
**Given:** Wavelength of light, λ = 546.1 nm = 546.1 × 10−9 m - Width
of each slit, a = 0.1 mm = 0.1 × 10−3 m - The fourth-order interference
maxima are missing.
For interference maxima to be missing, the condition for destructive in-
terference due to diffraction must be satisfied. This occurs when:

a sin(θ) = mλ
Here, m is the order of the missing maxima. Given that the fourth-order
maxima are missing:

m=4
Thus,

a sin(θ) = 4λ

4λ 4 × 546.1 × 10−9
sin(θ) = =
a 0.1 × 10−3

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 2.1844 × 10−6
sin(θ) =
10−4

sin(θ) = 0.021844
Now, using the condition for interference maxima:

d sin(θ) = nλ
The fourth-order maxima (n = 4) are missing, so:

d sin(θ) = 4λ
Using sin(θ) = 0.021844:

d × 0.021844 = 4 × 546.1 × 10−9

4 × 546.1 × 10−9
d=
0.021844
2.1844 × 10−6
d=
0.021844

d ≈ 0.1 mm
2. Irradiance of the First Three Orders of Interference Fringes
The irradiance In of the n-th order interference fringe relative to the
zeroth-order maximum I0 is given by:
 2
sin(β/2)
In = I0
β/2
where β = πa sin(θ)
λ
.
For small angles, sin(θ) ≈ θ.
Zeroth-order (n = 0):

θ0 = 0

β0 = 0

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 sin(0/2)
=1
0/2

I0 = I0
First-order (n = 1):
λ
θ1 =
d

πa sin(θ1 ) πa λd πa
β1 = = =
λ λ d
 2
sin(πa/2d)
I1 = I0
πa/2d
Second-order (n = 2):
2λ
θ2 =
d

πa sin(θ2 ) πa 2λ
d 2πa
β2 = = =
λ λ d
 2  2
sin(2πa/2d) sin(πa/d)
I2 = I0 = I0
2πa/2d πa/d
Third-order (n = 3):
3λ
θ3 =
d

πa sin(θ3 ) πa 3λ
d 3πa
β3 = = =
λ λ d
 2
sin(3πa/2d)
I3 = I0
3πa/2d
Using d ≈ 0.1 mm:
 2  2  2
sin(π/2) 1 2
I1 = I0 = I0 = I0 ≈ 0.405I0
π/2 π/2 π

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  2
sin(π)
I2 = I0 =0
π
 2  2  2
sin(3π/2) −1 2
I3 = I0 = I0 = I0 ≈ 0.045I0
3π/2 3π/2 3π

Question
In Young’s double slit experiment, the source is red light of wavelength 7 ×
10−7 m. When a thin glass of refractive index 1.5 at this wavelength is put
in the path of one of the interfering beams, the central bright fringe shifts
by 10−3 m to the position previously occupied by the 5th bright fringe. Find
the thickness of the plate in µm.

Answer
Given Information: 1. Wavelength of red light, λ = 7×10−7 m. 2. Refractive
index of the glass, n = 1.5. 3. Shift of the central bright fringe, ∆y = 10−3 m.
4. The central bright fringe shifts to the position previously occupied by the
5th bright fringe.
Understanding the Problem: In Young’s double slit experiment, the in-
troduction of a glass plate in the path of one of the interfering beams causes
a phase shift. This phase shift results in the central bright fringe moving to
the position of the 5th bright fringe, indicating a path difference equivalent
to 5 wavelengths (5λ).
Path Difference Due to Glass Plate: The glass plate introduces an optical
path difference because light travels slower in the glass than in air. The
optical path difference (∆L) introduced by the glass plate of thickness t is
given by:

∆L = (n − 1)t
Deriving the Thickness of the Plate: The path difference introduced by
the glass plate must be equal to 5 wavelengths (5λ) to cause the shift of the
central fringe to the position of the 5th bright fringe:

(n − 1)t = 5λ

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Solving for Thickness t:
5λ
t=
n−1
Substituting the Given Values:

λ = 7 × 10−7 m

n = 1.5
So,

5 × 7 × 10−7 m
t=
1.5 − 1
35 × 10−7 m
t=
0.5

t = 70 × 10−7 m

t = 7 × 10−6 m
Converting to Micrometers (µm):

t = 7 µm

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