OPTICAL PROPERTY

a materials response to exposure to

electromagnetic radiation and, in particular, to
visible light
What is VISIBLE light?
How do materials respond to visible light?
What is VISIBLE light?
a small band of frequencies visible to the human
eye among the larger electromagnetic (EM) wave
spectrum
ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVE
A transverse wave of mutually perpendicular, time-
varying electric and magnetic fields that propagate at
constant speed, c, in vacuum
electromagnetic radiation can have both wave-like and
particle-like properties
Travels as a wave
Reflection, refraction, diffraction, interference
Interacts with matter like a particle, photon
Photoelectric effect
THE ELECTROMAGNETIC SPECTRUM
http://www.andor.com/image_lib/lores/INTRODUCTION/Introduction%20(Light)/IntLight%201%20Small.jpg
Light Interactions with Solids
transparent: relatively little absorption and reflection
translucent: light scattered within the material
opaque: relatively little transmission
Outline
BAND Theory of Solids
Optical Properties of Metals
Absorption
Reflection
Optical Properties of Non-metals
Absorption
Reflection
Transmission
Refraction
Consider the electron energy levels of two atoms which are far
apart
If the atoms are brought very close to each other, such as the
case of the electrons in a SOLID, what will happen to the
electron energy levels?
n=1 n=1
n=2 n=2
n=3 n=3
Atom 1 Atom 2
n=1 n=1
n=2 n=2
n=3 n=3
Atom 1 Atom 2
n=1
n=2
n=3
Atom 1 + 2
Band theory of a solid
A solid will have millions of
atoms close together in a lattice
so these energy levels creates
bands each separated by a gap.
n=1
n=2
n=3
Band theory of a solid
Optical Properties of METALS
almost any frequency of light can be absorbed.
ABSORPTION
So what happens to the excited atoms in the surface layers of
metal atoms if the energy absorbed is just enough to take the
electrons to a higher energy level ?
a. they stay there forever
b. they relax again
The energy lost by the descending electron is the same as the
one originally incident
So the metal reflects the light very well
metals are both opaque and reflective
Optical Properties of METALS
and release photons as reflected light
REFLECTION
Optical Properties of METALS
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Mh4g--
http://ecx.images-
amazon.com/images/I/31I68%2B2nlfL._AA300_.jpg
http://www.omnicoin.com/coins/969525.jpg http://www.coinfacts.com/colonial_coins/new_jersey_coppers/maris_21N_obv.jpg
Specular vs. Diffuse Reflection
Smooth, shiny
surfaces have a
SPECULAR
reflection:
http://www.neilblevins.com/cg_education/chrome/chrome.jpg
http://www.racepartsdirect.com/images/EVUA-OR.jpg
Rough, dull surfaces
have a diffuse
reflection.
Diffuse reflection is
when light is scattered
in different directions
Non-metals can be opaque or transparent
to visible light
Reflection and Absorption
Refraction and Transmission
Optical Properties of Non-METALS
Semiconductors and insulators behave essentially the same
way, the only difference being in the size of the ...
Optical Properties of Non-METALS
If E
gap
< 1.8 eV
full absorption;
appearance is black (Si,
GaAs)
If E
gap
> 3.1eV
Transmission ; transparent
(diamond)
If 1.8 eV < E
gap
< 3.1eV
partial absorption;
material has a color
ABSORPTION
Optical Properties of Non-METALS
Optical Properties of Non-METALS
Optical Properties of Non-METALS
TRANSMISSION
refers to the passage of light through a medium
For an incident beam I
0
that impinges on the front surface
of a specimen with thickness l and absorption coefficient
the transmitted intensity I
T
is
( )
l
T
e R I I
| 2
2
0
1

=
Transmitted light depends on losses incurred by absorption
and reflection
Intensity of transmitted light decreases with distance
travelled (thick pieces less transparent!)
Transmitted light distorts electron clouds.
Light is slower in a material medium than in vacuum.
Optical Properties of Non-METALS
Air
New Medium
Speed = C
Speed = V
REFRACTION
Bending of light due to a change in velocity
Optical Properties of Non-METALS
v material a in light of speed
vacuum a in light of speed
(n) refraction of Index
c
= =
Optical Properties of Non-METALS
Optical Properties of Non-METALS
INDEX OF REFRACTION
v
c c
= =
v
n
where is the wavelength and is the frequency
When light is refracted in a material medium
its speed and wavelength are changed
the frequency does NOT change
RED LIGHT longest , smallest n, least refracted
VIOLET LIGHT - smallest , greatest n, most refracted
Optical Properties of Non-METALS
INDEX OF REFRACTION
v
c c
= =
v
n
Optical Properties of Non-METALS
Dispersion
REFLECTION
Optical Properties of Non-METALS
2
1 2
1 2
ty Reflectivi
|
|
.
|

\
|
+

=
n n
n n
2
1
1
ty Reflectivi
|
|
.
|

\
|
+

=
s
s
n
n
Optical Properties of Non-METALS
OPACITY AND TRANSLUCENCY IN INSULATORS
scattering inside the material
translucency
excessive internal scattering
opacity
Scattering can come from obvious causes:
in poly-crystalline materials
fine pores in ceramics
different phases of materials
http://www.columbia.edu/itc/chemistry/chem-
c1403/lectures/_C1403_Lecture7_100404.ppt
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultraviolet_catastrophe
http://nbsp.sonoma.edu/resources/teachers_materials/physical_01/light/light.ppt
How Things Work by Louis Bloomfield
http://www.molphys.leidenuniv.nl/monos/smo/basics/images/wave_anim.gif
users.encs.concordia.ca/~mmedraj/mech221/lecture%2024.pdf
http://www.kumc.edu/ophthalmology/timberlake/lectures/1-
Light%20&%20Refraction.ppt
www.kyc.edu.hk/studteach/teacher/hlt/userfiles/11-4_refraction_of_light.ppt
Materials Science and Engineering: An Introduction, 6th Edition by Callister