23.

Fresnel Equations
EM Waves at boundaries
Fresnel Equations:
Reflection and Transmission Coefficients
Brewsters Angle
Total Internal Reflection (TIR)
Evanescent Waves
The Complex Refractive Index
Reflection from Metals

We will derive the Fresnel equations

r : reflection coefficient
rTE

Er cos n2 sin 2
=
=
E cos + n2 sin 2

rTM

Er n2 cos + n2 sin 2
=
=
E
n2 cos + n2 sin 2

Et
2n cos
=
E n2 cos + n2 sin 2

n1
n2
t

t : transmission coefficient
E
2cos
tTE = t =
E cos + n2 sin 2
tTM =

Er

Et
n

ntransmitted n2
=
nincident
n1

EM Waves at an Interface
r r
r
r
Ei = Eoi exp i ki r i t

r r
r
r
Reflected beam : Er = Eor exp i kr r r t

r r
r
r
Transmitted beam : Et = Eot exp i kt r t t

Incident beam :

TE mode

r
Eoi

r
Ei

r
ki = n1k0
r
kr = n1k0
r
kt = n2 k0

r
ki
n1
n2

r
Et

r
n2

n1

r
kr
r
Eot
r
kt

TM mode

n2

r
Er

n1

Note the definition of the positive E-field directions in both cases.

r
Eor

EM Waves at an Interface
r r
r
r
Ei = Eoi exp i ki r i t

r r
r
r
Reflected beam : Er = Eor exp i kr r r t

r r
r
r
Transmitted beam : Et = Eot exp i kt r t t

Incident beam :

At the boundary between the two media (the x y plane), all waves must exist simultaneously,
and the tangential component must be equal on both sides of the interface.
r
Therefore, for all time t and for all boundary points r on the interface,
) r
) r
) r
n Ei + n Er = n Et
r r
r r
r r
) r
) r
) r

n Eoi exp i ki r i t + n Eor exp i kr r r t = n Eot exp i kt r t t

Assuming that the wave amplitudes are constant ,

the only way that this can be true over the entire interface and for all t is if :
r r
r r
r r
ki r i t = kr r r t = kt r t t : Phase matching at the boundary!

) (

) (

r
Eoi

r
Ei

r
ki
n1
n2

r
Er

n
r
kr

r
Eor
r rr
Eot
r
kt

r
Et

EM Waves at an Interface
Phase matching condition:
r r
r r
r r
ki r i t = kr r r t = kt r t t

) (

) (

r
Ei

r
At r = 0, this results in
i t = r t = t t

r
ki
n1
n2

i = r = t
(Frequency does not change at the boundary!)

At t = 0, this results in
r r r r r r
ki r = k r r = kt r

r
Er
r
kr

r
ki = n1k0
r
kr = n1k0
r
kt = n2 k0

r
r

r
kt
r
Et

n2 k0
n1k0
r
kr
r
ki

(Phases on the boundary does not change!)

r
r
ki ,r ,t r = constant

r
r
the equation for a plane perpendicular to ki ,r ,t and r .

r
kt
Normal

r r
r
ki , kr , and kt are coplanar in the plane of incidence.

r
r

EM Waves at an Interface
r
Ei
At t = 0,
r r r r r r
ki r = kr r = kt r = constant

r
ki

Considering the relation for the incident and reflected beams,

r r r r
ki r = k r r
ki r sin i = kr r sin r

Since the incident and reflected beams are in the same medium,
n
sin i = sin r
ki = k r = i
i = r : law of reflection

r
Er
r
kr n

n2

r
kt
r
Et

n2 k0
n1k0

Considering the relation for the incident and transmitted beams,

r r r r

ki r = kt r
ki r sin i = kt r sin t
But the incident and transmitted beams are in different media,
n
n
ki = i
kt = t
ni sin i = nt sin t : law of refraction

c
c

r
kr

r
i
t

r
ki

r
kt

Normal

r
r

Development of the Fresnel Equations

From Maxwell ' s EM field theory,
we have the boundary conditions at the interface

TE-case

for the TE case :

Ei + Er = Et
Bi cos i Br cos r = Bt cos t
The above conditions imply that the tangential
r
r
components of both E and B are equal on
both sides of the interface. We have also
assumed that i t 0 , as is true for
most dielectric materials.
For the TM mode :
Ei cos i + Er cos r = Et cos t
Bi + Br = Bt

TM-case

Development of the Fresnel Equations

c
Recall that E = v B = B
n

B=

nE
c

n2

TE-case

Let n1 = refractive index of incident medium

n2 = refractive index of refracting medium

n1
For the TE mode :
Ei + Er = Et
n1 Ei cos i n1 Er cos r = n2 Et cos t

TM-case
n2

For the TM mode :

Ei cos i + Er cos r = Et cos t
n1 Ei + n1 Er = n2 Et

n1

Development of the Fresnel Equations

Eliminating Et from each set of equations

n2

and solving for the reflection coefficient we obtain :

TE case : rTE =

TM case : rTM =
where n =

Er cos i n cos t
=
Ei
cos i + n cos t

TE-case

n1

Er n cos i + cos t
=
n cos i + cos t
Ei

n2
n1

TM-case
n2

We know that
sin i = n sin t
sin 2 i
n cos t = n 1 sin t = n 1
=
2
n
2

n 2 sin 2 i

n1

Now we have derived the Fresnel Equations

Substituting we obtain the Fresnel equations for reflection coefficients r :
TE case : rTE

TM case : rTM

cos i
E
= r =
Ei
cos i +

n 2 sin 2 i

n2

n sin i
2

2
2
2
Er n cos i + n sin i
=
=
Ei
n 2 cos i + n 2 sin 2 i

TE-case

n2
n1
n1

For the transmission coefficient t :

2 cos i
E
TE case : tTE = t =
Ei cos i + n 2 sin 2 i
TM case : tTM =

TE :

2n cos i
Et
=
Ei n 2 cos i + n 2 sin 2 i

tTE = rTE + 1

TM : ntTM = 1 rTM

TM-case
n2

These just mean the boundary conditions.

For the TE case : Ei + Er = Et

For the TM mode : Bi + Br = Bt

n1

Power : Reflectance (R) and Transmittance (T)

The quantities r and t are ratios of electric field amplitudes.
The ratios R and T are the ratios of reflected and transmitted powers,
respectively, to the incident power :
P
P
R= r
T = t
Pi
Pi

From conservation of energy :

1= R +T
Pi = Pr + Pt
We can express the power in each of the fields
in terms of the product of an irradiance and area :
Pi = I i Ai
Pr = I r Ar
Pt = I t At
I i Ai = I r Ar + I t At
I i A cos i = I r A cos r + I t A cos t
I i cos i = I r cos r + I t cos t
But I =

2
I out cos out nout Eout cos out
Power _ ratio =
=
I in cos in nin Ein 2 cos in

1
1
1
n1 0 cE02i cos i = n1 0 cE02r cos r + n2 0 cE02t cos t
2
2
2
2
2
2
cos t E02t
E0 r n2 E0t cos t
E0 r
1= 2 +
= 2 + n
2 = R+T
co
s
E0i n1 E02i cos i
E0i

i E0 i

1
n 0 cE02
2

E02r
R = 2 = r2
E0i

cos t E02t
cos t 2
T = n
t
2 = n
cos i E0i
cos i

R = rr* = r

cos t
T = n
cos i

cos t

tt* = n
cos i

2
t

23-2. External and Internal Reflection

rTE =

cos i

n 2 sin 2 i

co s i +

n 2 sin 2 i

rTM =

n 2 cos i +

n 2 sin 2 i

n 2 c os i +

n 2 sin 2 i

tTE ,TM > 0

rTE ,TM > 0

rTM

External Reflection [ n = n2 / n1 > 1 ]

n2 > n1

n = n2 / n1 > 1 ( n 2 sin 2 ) 0

rTE

rTE ,TM < 0

n=1.50

rTE ,TM are always real

If rTE ,TM > 0 then there are no phase changes after reflection.

If rTE ,TM < 0 then there are always (= 180o ) phase changes.
rTE ,TM = rTE ,TM = ei rTE ,TM
Note for the TM case :
rTM ( = p ) = 0 when p = tan n
1

Brewsters angle (or, polarizing angle)

(No reflection of TM mode)

Internal Reflection [ n = n2 / n1 < 1 ]

rTE =

cos i

n 2 sin 2 i

co s i +

n 2 sin 2 i

rTM =

n 2 cos i +
n 2 c os i +

rTE ,TM > 0

n 2 sin 2 i
n 2 sin 2 i

TIR region

rTE ,TM < 0

n1 > n2 n = n2 / n1 < 1

( n 2 sin 2 ) > 0, or , ( n 2 sin 2 ) < 0

If ( n 2 sin 2 ) > 0, rTE ,TM are always real

If rTE ,TM > 0 then there are no phase changes after reflection.
If rTE ,TM < 0 then there are (= 180o ) phase changes.
If ( n 2 sin 2 ) = 0, rTE ,TM =1
sin c = n = (n2 / n1 )

critical angle

If ( n 2 sin 2 ) < 0, rTE ,TM =1, BUT rTE ,TM are complex !

rTE ,TM =1

Note Brewster's angle ( p = tan 1 n )

for the TM case : rTM = 0

Total internal reflection (TIR) when > c

rTE ,TM = rTE ,TM ei = ei

(- ~ + ) phase change may occur after reflection

Derivation of Brewsters Angle

c

Brewster's angle p ( for polarizing angle) :

rTM ( p ) =

n 2 cos p +

n 2 sin 2 p

n cos p +

n sin p

=0

n cos p = n sin p
4

n 4 cos 2 p n 2 + sin 2 p
= (n 1) n c os p sin p = 0
2

TE

TM

internal
reflection

p = tan 1 n
For n = 1.50, p = 56.31

Brewster s angle : tan p = n

: n > 1 or n < 1

External & Internal reflections, but TM-polarization only

Critical angle :

sin c = n

:n < 1

TE & TM polarizations, but Internal reflection only

external
reflection

Total Internal Reflection

Internal reflection : n =

n2
<1
n1

(TIR)
R

R=1

For c = sin 1 n , called total internal reflection(TIR),

r = 1 and R = rr* = 1 for both (TE and TM) cases.
r is a complex number

rTE

rTM

internal
reflection

2
2
Er cos i i sin i n
=
=
Ei
cos i + i sin 2 i n 2
2
2
2
Er n cos i + i sin i n
=
=
Ei
n 2 cos i + i sin 2 i n 2

r
Complex value

23-3. Phase changes on reflection

External reflection

tTE ,TM > 0

Phase shift after External Reflection

rTE ,TM > 0

rTM

rTE ,TM is always a real number for external reflection,

then the phase shift is 0 for rTE ,TM > 0,
and the phase shift is 180(= ) for rTE ,TM < 0.

rTE ,TM < 0

rTE
n=1.50

External Reflection

TE

For TE case, phase shift for all incident angles

External Reflection

TM

For TM case, phase shift for < p

No phase shift for > p

Phase shift after Internal Reflection

Internal reflection

rTE > 0 for < c = sin 1 n

rTE is complex in TIR region where > c

Complex value

rTE = rTE eiTE = eiTE

In TIR region

rTM > 0 for < p = tan 1 n

: > c

rTM < 0 for p < < c

rTM = rTM = eiTM rTM TM =

rTM is complex in TIR region where > c

rTM = rTM eiTM = eiTM
TIR

For TE case, no phase shift for < c

TE() phase shift for > c

TIR

For TM case, no phase shift for < p

phase shift for p < < c

TM() phase shift for > c

Phase shifts on total Internal Reflection for both TE- and TM-cases
When c (TIR case) then r is complex and for both the TE and TM cases has the form :
a ib cos i sin e i
sin
b
r=
=
= + i = e i 2 = ei
tan =
=
= 2
a + ib cos + i sin e
a
cos
is the phase shift on total internal reflection(TIR ).

TE case : rTE

a = cos i

TE

2
2
Er cos i i sin i n
=
=
Ei
cos i + i sin 2 i n 2

b = sin 2 i n 2

Internal reflection

sin 2 i n 2
TE
tan = tan
=
cos
2
sin 2 n 2
i
= 2 tan

cos i

: i > c

A similar analysis for the TM case gives :

TM

sin 2 n 2
i
= 2 tan
2
n cos i

: i > c

TIR
(Complex r )

Therefore,

rTE ,TM

after TIR is ..
Internal reflection

rTE ,TM
For TIR case ( incident > c )

rTE

rTM

2
2
Er cos i i sin i n
=
=
Ei
cos i + i sin 2 i n 2

Complex value

2
2
2
Er n cos i + i sin i n
=
=
Ei
n 2 cos i + i sin 2 i n 2

TM

sin 2 n 2
i
= 2 tan
2
n cos

TE

sin 2 n 2
i
= 2 tan

cos

TE ,TM

Summary of Phase Shifts on Internal Reflection

TM

TE

0o

= (= 180o )

sin 2 n 2

i
1
2 tan n 2 cos

0o

sin 2 n 2
=
i
1
2 tan
cos

= TM TE

= 0o

o
0
>

< p'

Internal reflection

TIR
(Complex r )

p' < < c

< c

< c

> c

< p
p < < c
c <

TM

TE

Fresnel Rhomb
3
near i = 53o when n = 1.5
4
After two consequentive TIRs,
Note TM TE =

TM TE =

3
2

= TM TE =

TE

2
Quarter wave retarder

Linearly polarized light (45o)

Circularly
Polarized
light

TM

Quarter-wave retardation after TIR

Note TM TE =

TM

near i = 69 when n = ???

= TM TE =

2
Quarter wave retarder

Linearly
polarized light
(45o)

TE

Circularly
Polarized
light
n

23-5. Evanescent Waves at an Interface

r r
r
r
Ei = Eoi exp i ki r i t

r r
r
r
Reflected beam : Er = Eor exp i kr r r t

r r
r
r
Transmitted beam : Et = Eot exp i kt r t t

Incident beam :

For the transmitted beam :

r r
Et = Eot exp i kt r t t

r r
)
)
)
)
kt r = ( kt sin t x + kt cos t z ) ( x x + zz )
= kt ( x sin t + z cos t )
sin 2 i
But , cos t = 1 sin t = 1
n
2

When sin i > n ( total internal reflection), then :

sin 2 i
cos t = i
1
n

a purely imaginary number

Evanescent Waves at an Interface

For the transmitted beam with an TIR condition ( sin i > n ) ,
we can write the phase factor as :
sin
r r
t
+ iz
k t r = kt x

k x sin t

Et = E0t exp i t
t exp ( z )
n

sin i
1

Defining the coefficient :

= kt

sin i
2
1 =
t
n
2

sin i
1
n
2

n2

n1 > n2

We can write the transmitted wave as :

k x sin t

t exp ( z )
Et = E0t exp i t
n

n1

The evanescent wave amplitude will decay rapidly

as it penetrates into the lower refractive index medium.

Penetration depth: Et = e Eot h = =

1

Note that the incident and reflection waves

form a standing wave in x direction

sin 2 i
1
2
n2

Frustrated TIR
d
Tp = fraction of intensity
transmitted across gap

n1=n2=1.517
1.65
Zhu et al., Variable Transmission Output
Coupler and Tuner for Ring Laser Systems,
Appl. Opt. 24, 3610-3614 (1985).

d/

Frustrated Total Internal Reflectance

Pellin-Broca prism

Zhu et al., Variable Transmission Output

Coupler and Tuner for Ring Laser Systems,
Appl. Opt. 24, 3610-3614 (1985).

d = 1 ~ : changing the reflectance

Rotation: changing the wavelength resonant at B

23-6. Complex Refractive Index

For a material with conductivity ( ) : n% = 1 + i
= nR + i nI
0

2
2
n% 2 = 1 + i
= nR nI + i 2nR nI
0

Solving for the real and imaginary components we obtain :

nR2 nI2 = 1

2nR nI =

nI4 nI2
=0
2

nI = 1
2 nI 0

nR =

2 nI 0
2

From the quadratic solution we obtain :

2

+
+
1 1+ 4
1
1
4

2
2

0
0

nI2 =
nI2 =
2
2
We need to take the positive root because nI is a real number.

Complex Refractive Index

Substituting our expression for the complex refractive index back into
our expression for the electric field we obtain
r r
r r
E = E0 exp i k r t

r
r

= E0 exp i ( nR + i nI ) ( uk r ) t
c

r
r
r
n
n

= E0 exp i R ( uk r ) t exp I ( uk r )
c

The first exponential term is oscillatory.

The EM wave propagates with a velocity of nR / c.
The second exponential has a real argument (absorbed).

Complex Refractive Index

r r
r
r
n

n
E = E0 exp i R ( uk r ) t exp I ( uk r )
c

The second term leads to absorption of the beam in metals due to inducing
a current in the medium. This causes the irradiance to decrease as the wave
propagates through the medium.
r
r r* r r *
2 nI ( uk r )
I EE = E0 E0 exp

r
2 nI ( uk r )
r

=
I

exp
I = I 0 exp

( k )

The absorption coefficient is defined : =

2 nI
4 nI
=
c

23-7. Reflection from Metals

Reflection from metals is analyzed
by substituting the complex refractive index n% in the Fresnel equations :
TE case : rTE

cos i
E
= r =
Ei
cos i +

TM case : rTM =

n% 2 sin 2 i
n% 2 sin 2 i

n% 2 cos i +

Er
=
Ei
n% 2 cos i +

Substituting n% = nR + i nI

Reflectance

n% 2 sin 2 i
n% 2 sin 2 i

we obtain :

Er cos i
TE case : r =
=
Ei
cos i +

(n
(n

2
R

nI2 sin 2 i ) + i ( 2nR nI )

2
R

nI2 sin 2 i ) + i ( 2nR nI )

2
2
Er ( nR nI ) + i ( 2nR nI ) cos i +
TM case : r =
=
Ei
( nR2 nI2 ) + i ( 2nR nI ) cos i +

(n

2
R

(n

2
R

nI2 sin 2 i ) + i ( 2nR nI )

nI2 sin 2 i ) + i ( 2nR nI )

Reflection from Metals at normal incidence (i=0)

At normal incidence, i = 0 :
rTE =
rTM =

cos i

n% 2 sin 2 i

cos i +

n% 2 sin 2 i

At normal incidence
(from Hecht, page 113)

1 n%
1 + n%

n% 2 cos i +

n% 2 sin 2 i

n% 2 cos i +

n% 2 sin 2 i

r=

1 ( nR i nI
1 + ( nR i nI

1 n%
1 + n%

)
)

The power reflectance R is given by

R = r r*
1 ( nR i nI ) 1 ( nR + i nI ) 1 2nR + nR2 + nI2
=

=
2
2
+

+
+
+
+
+
n
i
n
n
i
n
n
n
n
1
1
1
2
(
)
(
)

R
I
R
I
R
R
I

( n 1)
R= R
2
( nR + 1)
2

+ nI2
+ nI2

visible