Re: Total Internal Reflection

[Bernard Cleyet <anngeorg@PACBELL.NET>]

I think the older texts do a better job of "giving a feel" for what is
happening.  They use mechanical analogs. (Lorentz atomic model, etc.)

I suggest Strong's * "Concepts of Classical Optics"   He also does the
math for angles > i(c).  and then describes a simple experiment showing
the predicted phase "jumps" resulting from internal reflection.  He also
describes the evolution from Huygens simple theory to the more refined
theories of Fresnel and Kirchoff **.


* Jenkins and White, also.
** the modern text by Hecht-Zajac may be more complete - I haven't read
it completely.

bc,  whose dist. research involved ellipsometric measurement of metallic
reflection, but has forgotten all.

p.s. Does KF demonstrate internal reflection (and frustration) using
microwaves?

SSHS KPHOX wrote:

> A point of curiosity, if you can help.
>
> A wave is traveling from a slow to a faster material. At the critical
> angle the wave is totally reflected. I know the math. I know the argument
> that the exiting wave has a limited finite speed and can play Huygens'
> principle to get all the way to the critical angle. One would think a HS
> teacher should be happy. We know it happens and we can solve problems
> about it happening but I cannot answer the very curious student (me
> included) who wants a deeper understanding, a mechanism for this
> happening. My assortment of texts did not do it for me. Can any of you?
>
> Actually, I am not sure I can adequately explain why reflection works the
> way it does in general.
>
> Happy Friday!
>
> Ken Fox