How Does Elliptical Polarization Affect Reflected Light Intensity and Phase?

[atomqwerty]

Homework Statement

If light with ellyptical polarisation moves from a medium of a given refractive index n1 into a second medium with refractive index n2 (let be I the initial energy of the beam and θ the angle), calculate the polarisation state and the reflected intensity.

Homework Equations

I found relevant the Fresnel equations for this one

The Attempt at a Solution

My question is: if the Jones vector of the light is given by [comma separates rows]: (A , B exp(-iφ)), where i is the imagniary unit and φ the relative phases between x and y (s and p), is the reflected light given by (rA , r'[B exp(-iφ)]) where r and r' are the parallel and perpendicular reflection coefficientes respectively? How can I the determine the phase lag φ introduced?

Thanks!

 

[mark726]

Hello!

Yes, you are correct in using the Fresnel equations for this problem. The reflected light will indeed have a Jones vector of (rA, r'[B exp(-iφ)]), where r and r' are the parallel and perpendicular reflection coefficients, respectively. To determine the phase lag φ, you can use the expression:

φ = atan((n2 cos(θ) - n1) / (n2 cos(θ) + n1))

This expression is derived from the Fresnel equations and takes into account the angle of incidence θ and the refractive indices of the two media.

Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any further questions.