Refraction Index Conventions: Complex Reflection/Transmission Coeff.

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In summary, the conversation discusses the different conventions for expressing the index of refraction of a medium and how it affects the calculation of complex transmission and reflection coefficients. The speaker also mentions the importance of choosing a convention that accurately reflects the attenuation of transmitted light and states that the measured values for transmittivity and reflectivity should not differ based on the convention used.
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Josette
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Hi! I'm new to this forum.
The index of refraction of a medium can be expressed as n'-jn" or n'+jn" as per the convention chosen for the phase advance in time(n" stands for absorption). Am I right in saying that the complex reflection/transmission coefficient calculated as a function of frequency would be different for the 2 conventions?
Thanks for helping...
 
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Hi! lonely question!
I don't understand what you mean by convention chosen for the phase advance in time. Anyway, the convention should be determined so that transmitted light is correctly described as attenuated one. The complex transmission/reflection coefficient may differ from convention to convention. But transmittivity and reflectivity calculated from those coefficients should not differ. Because transmittivity and reflectivity are measureable quantities. If those differ from convention to convention, physics changes by convention used to describe the phenomena. I think it is unacceptable.
 

1. What is the purpose of using complex reflection and transmission coefficients in refraction index conventions?

The purpose of using complex reflection and transmission coefficients in refraction index conventions is to accurately describe the behavior of light when it passes through a medium with a complex refractive index. This is particularly important for materials that exhibit strong absorption or dispersion, as the simple real-valued refractive index is not sufficient to fully characterize the behavior of light.

2. How are complex reflection and transmission coefficients related to the complex refractive index?

The complex reflection and transmission coefficients are related to the complex refractive index through the Fresnel equations, which describe the behavior of light at the boundary between two media with different refractive indices. The complex refractive index is a complex-valued quantity that combines the real-valued refractive index and the imaginary component, which represents the absorption and dispersion properties of the medium.

3. How do complex reflection and transmission coefficients differ from the real-valued reflection and transmission coefficients?

The real-valued reflection and transmission coefficients only take into account the amplitude of the reflected and transmitted light, while the complex reflection and transmission coefficients also consider the phase of the reflected and transmitted light. This means that the complex coefficients provide a more complete description of the behavior of light at the boundary between two media.

4. Can complex reflection and transmission coefficients be measured directly?

No, complex reflection and transmission coefficients cannot be measured directly. However, they can be calculated from experimental data, such as measurements of the reflectance and transmittance of light at the boundary between two media. The calculation involves using the Fresnel equations and the complex refractive index of the materials.

5. How do complex reflection and transmission coefficients affect the behavior of light in materials?

The complex reflection and transmission coefficients have a significant impact on the behavior of light in materials, particularly those with strong absorption or dispersion properties. They determine the amount of light that is reflected and transmitted at the boundary between two media, as well as the phase relationships between the incident, reflected, and transmitted light. This can affect the color, transparency, and other optical properties of materials.

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