Document Type
Article
Publication Date
9-1982
Abstract
The complex reflection coefficients for the parallel (p) and perpendicular (s) polarizations of light that are normally incident upon an isotropic surface are proved to be stationary with respect to small changes of the angle of incidence in the neighborhood of zero. This is true not only for a single interface between isotropic media but also for any one-dimensionally inhomogeneous or multilayer reflecting structure that is stratified in the direction of the surface normal. For incident light of certain intensity, phase, and polarization, the intensity, phase, and polarization of the reflected light all remain stationary with respect to small near-normal angle-of-incidence variations to first order. A second-order analysis is carried out to determine the parabolic (quadratic) variation of various reflection parameters of an interface with an angle near normal incidence.
Journal Name
Journal of the Optical Society of America (1917-1983)
Recommended Citation
R. M. A. Azzam, "Stationary property of normal-incidence reflection from isotropic surfaces," J. Opt. Soc. Am. 72, 1187-1189 (1982)
Comments
This paper was published in Journal of the Optical Society of America (1917-1983) and is made available as an electronic reprint with the permission of OSA. The paper can be found at the following URL on the OSA website: http://www.opticsinfobase.org/josa/abstract.cfm?URI=josa-72-9-1187. Systematic or multiple reproduction or distribution to multiple locations via electronic or other means is prohibited and is subject to penalties under law.