Difference between revisions of "Refraction"
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It is commonly believed that the absolute value of the refractive index is what causes electromagnetic radiation to bend. This is an incorrect view. | It is commonly believed that the absolute value of the refractive index is what causes electromagnetic radiation to bend. This is an incorrect view. | ||
| − | The change of direction of electromagnetic radiation occurs when the [[absolute refractive index]] along an [[arbitrary]] path of travel <u>'''changes'''</u>. | + | The change of direction of electromagnetic radiation occurs when the [[absolute refractive index]] along an [[arbitrary]] path of travel <u>'''changes'''</u>.<ref name= "Snell">Refraction, Snell's law, and total internal reflection; http://buphy.bu.edu/py106/notes/Refraction.html</ref> |
'''Standard Physics Models of Refraction''' | '''Standard Physics Models of Refraction''' | ||
The magnitude of change in the direction of the electromagnetic radiation is related to the magnitude of the difference in refractive indexes. | The magnitude of change in the direction of the electromagnetic radiation is related to the magnitude of the difference in refractive indexes. | ||
| − | This can be modeled as a discrete boundary ([[Snell's Law]]). In this case, the [[relative refractive index]] values at the boundary determine the change in direction. The standard usage of this model is when the medium has a well-defined [[boundary]] between two [[isotropic]] [[homogenous]] mediums. | + | This can be modeled as a discrete boundary ([[Snell's Law]]). In this case, the [[relative refractive index]] values at the boundary determine the change in direction. The standard usage of this model is when the medium has a well-defined [[boundary]] between two [[isotropic]] [[homogenous]] mediums.</u>.<ref name= "Snell">Refraction, Snell's law, and total internal reflection; http://buphy.bu.edu/py106/notes/Refraction.html</ref> |
| − | The magnitude of the refractive index of a medium also has a wavelength dependence. | + | The magnitude of the refractive index of a medium also has a wavelength dependence. <ref>Wavelength and the Index of Refraction; https://www.rpi.edu/dept/phys/Dept2/APPhys1/optics/review.html </ref> |
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| − | Refraction can also be modeled as a continuum according to Fermat's [[principle of least time]]. This method is necessary to model the path of electromagnetic radiation through certain types of mediums. The conditions for usage would be for mediums that have one or more of these properties: ill-defined [[boundaries]], are [[inhomogeneous]], are [[anisotropic]]. A medium with these properties is known as a [[Gradient Index Medium]]. | + | Refraction can also be modeled as a continuum according to Fermat's [[principle of least time]]. This method is necessary to model the path of electromagnetic radiation through certain types of mediums. The conditions for usage would be for mediums that have one or more of these properties: ill-defined [[boundaries]], are [[inhomogeneous]], are [[anisotropic]]. A medium with these properties is known as a [[Gradient Index Medium]].<ref>Gradient Index Optics |
| + | By Erich Merchand; https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=pIrprJ0u2f8C&oi=fnd&pg=PP1#v=onepage&q&f=false</ref> | ||
''Representation of a Gradient Index Medium Model'' | ''Representation of a Gradient Index Medium Model'' | ||
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[[File:Fitcurve.png|frame|right|Example Curve Fit to multi-layer]] | [[File:Fitcurve.png|frame|right|Example Curve Fit to multi-layer]] | ||
[[File:Twolayer.png|frame|left|Example Two Layer Refraction]] [[File:Multilayer.png|thumb|center|Example multi-layer reraction]] | [[File:Twolayer.png|frame|left|Example Two Layer Refraction]] [[File:Multilayer.png|thumb|center|Example multi-layer reraction]] | ||
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<br clear=all> | <br clear=all> | ||
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| + | ==References== | ||
==Expert== | ==Expert== | ||
Revision as of 00:33, 6 April 2020
Introduction
Refraction is the word used to describe the phenomenon of a change in direction that an electromagnetic wave travels in.[1] Electromagnetic radiation (which includes light) is observed to change direction when it's velocity changes. How much this velocity differs from the velocity in a vacuum is commonly called the refractive index. The vacuum value is set to 1 for all wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation.
This property of a medium has a few different names.
| NAME |
|---|
| Index of Refraction |
| Refractive Index |
| Optical Density |
| Relative permittivity and permeability |
Beginner
Advanced
It is commonly believed that the absolute value of the refractive index is what causes electromagnetic radiation to bend. This is an incorrect view. The change of direction of electromagnetic radiation occurs when the absolute refractive index along an arbitrary path of travel changes.[2]
Standard Physics Models of Refraction
The magnitude of change in the direction of the electromagnetic radiation is related to the magnitude of the difference in refractive indexes. This can be modeled as a discrete boundary (Snell's Law). In this case, the relative refractive index values at the boundary determine the change in direction. The standard usage of this model is when the medium has a well-defined boundary between two isotropic homogenous mediums..[2]
The magnitude of the refractive index of a medium also has a wavelength dependence. [3]
Representation of a Two Medium Medium Model
Refraction can also be modeled as a continuum according to Fermat's principle of least time. This method is necessary to model the path of electromagnetic radiation through certain types of mediums. The conditions for usage would be for mediums that have one or more of these properties: ill-defined boundaries, are inhomogeneous, are anisotropic. A medium with these properties is known as a Gradient Index Medium.[4]
Representation of a Gradient Index Medium Model
References
Expert
The models for refraction in the previous section can be used to make approximately correct optical path predictions within a limited range of idealized physical situations. The fact is there are many more models of refraction.
References
- ↑ https://www.dictionary.com/browse/refraction
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Refraction, Snell's law, and total internal reflection; http://buphy.bu.edu/py106/notes/Refraction.html
- ↑ Wavelength and the Index of Refraction; https://www.rpi.edu/dept/phys/Dept2/APPhys1/optics/review.html
- ↑ Gradient Index Optics By Erich Merchand; https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=pIrprJ0u2f8C&oi=fnd&pg=PP1#v=onepage&q&f=false
