Lecture #4: Colours in Thin Films Anti-Reflection Films Wedge Shaped Films

Lecture #4
Content to be covered
❑ Colours in thin films
❑ Anti-reflection films
❑ Wedge shaped films
Resources to be consulted
❑ OPTICS by Ajay Ghatak
15B11PH111 ODD2020 Physics-1 1

Colors in thin films
The incident light is split up by reflection at the top and bottom of the film. The
split rays are in a position to interfere and interference of these rays is
responsible for colors.
Since the interference condition is a function of thickness of the film, the

wavelength and the angle of refraction, different colors are observed at different
positions of the eye.
It should be noted here that the conditions for maxima and minima in
transmitted light are opposite to that of reflected light. Hence, the colors that
are absent in reflected light will be present in transmitted light. The colors
observed in transmitted light and reflected light are complimentary.
An excessively thin film appears black in reflected system when illuminated with
an extended source of white light.

Non-reflecting Films
Figure shows a comparison between a
glasses lens without anti-reflective
coating (top) and a lens with
anti-reflective coating (bottom). Note the
reflection of the photographer in the top
lens and the tinted reflection in the
bottom.
The loss of energy due to reflection is one
major reason of clarity reduction, meaning
hereby, reduction in the intensity of the
images since less light is transmitted through
the lenses.
When films are coated on surface of lens, the reflectivity of these surfaces is
appreciably reduced . Example CaF2, MgF2
No light is destroyed by non reflecting film, but there is redistribution means
decrease in reflection results an increase in transmission.

One of the important application of the thin film interference phenomenon lies
in reducing the reflectivity of lens surfaces.
Now we will use the thin film interference phenomenon in reducing the
reflectivity of lens surfaces. We all know that in many optical instruments such
as telescope, there are many interfaces, and the loss of intensity due to
reflections can be severe. For example, for near normal incidence, the
reflectivity of the crown glass surface in air is 4%.
In order to reduce these losses, lens surfaces are often coated with a λ/4µ thick
non-reflecting film. The refractive index of the film should be less than that of
lens. The film thickness should be such that

µa (air) = 1
µf (MgF2) = 1.38
µg (glass) = 1.5 µg > µ f > µ a
For normal incidence, the two interfering beams will interfere destructively, if
2 μf t cos r = (2n+1)λ/2 normal incidence ,hence r=i=0 .
So, for minimum thickness, n = 0, 2 μf t= λ/2 ⇒ t= λ/4μf
If a film, having thickness of λ/4µf and refractive index (µf) less than that of the glass (µg), is
coated on glass, then waves reflected from the upper surface of the film interfere
destructively with the waves reflected from the lower surface of the film, leading to
destructive interference. Such films are known as a non or anti-reflecting films with
refractive index µf is such that µa< µf < µg.

Amplitude of ray 1:
Amplitude of ray 2:
For complete destructive interference
ray 1 and 2 must have the same
amplitude, i.e.
~1
This equation gives the estimate of refractive index of film which
should be coated on a glass surface to reduce its reflectivity. If µa =1
then
NOTE : u ,which is used further for refractive index is for
Interference In Wedge Shaped Films refractive index of medium between the glass plates ,not
the refractive index of glass plate
The optical path difference

between the rays PQ and EH is
According to the Snell’s law,
In the figure, ΔECF and ΔFCL are

congruent, thus EC = CL = t and FE = FL
⇒ Δ = μ (NF + FL) = μNL
path difference is less here because

angle in cos is more.

Interference In Wedge Shaped Films NOTE : u ,which is used for refractive index is for
refractive index of medium between the glass
plates ,not the refractive index of glass plate
In practical applications, where θ is very small,
Constructive interference
Destructive interference
where n = 0,1,2…..
because here the interference is due to reflected rays and that suffered a phase change of pi
due to reflection from denser medium. (doubt)
For monochromatic light beam incident on a wedge shaped

film λ and µ are constant. So change in path difference is
only due to varying thickness of the film. At a particular
point, thickness is constant. So we get a bright or dark fringe
at that point due to constant path difference.

NOTE : u ,which is used for refractive index is for
Interference In Wedge Shaped Films refractive index of medium between the glass plates ,not
the refractive index of glass plate
Fringe at Apex is Dark
Straight and parallel fringes
Locus of points having same

thickness lie along lines
parallel to the contact edge
Equidistant fringes
fringe width formula ,its derivation is on next page.
Localized fringes
Fringes formed close to the top surface of wedge.
Fringes of equal thickness

NOTE : u ,which is used for refractive index is for refractive
Interference In Wedge Shaped Films index of medium between the glass plates ,not the refractive
index of glass plate
Determination of Wedge Angle
Using microscopes the positions of dark fringes at two distant
points Q and R , OQ = x1, OR = x2
Thickness of the wedge t1 at Q, t2 at R
For dark fringes at Q
here m is not n+1 ,it is just a varibale.
Fringe width: if N=1 then (x2-x1)=β

Interference In Wedge Shaped Films
The two glass surfaces are in contact at one end and separated at
the other end by a thin wire. If the sodium light is incident normally,
20 interference fringes are observed between these edges. What is
the thickness of the wire?
t = 10λ = 5.893x10-6m.
Explain what happens to the fringe width (i) if wedge angle is

decreased and (ii) oil is introduced between surfaces of the glass
plates in a wedge shaped films.
ACC. TO FORMULA OF FRINGE WIDTH :
if theta decreases ,then beta increases
if u is intoduces means u>1 ,hence beta decreaes

Interference In Wedge Shaped Films
Fringes of equal thickness

Fringe at the apex is dark. A’
Fringes are straight, parallel and equidistant. B’
Fringes are localized A
B
Fringes formed will be parallel to the edge OO’.
O’
bright and dark fringes of different orders will be θ
observed at different thickness of the film. O

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Lecture #4

15B11PH111 ODD2020 Physics-1 1

Since the interference condition is a function of thickness of the film, the

15B11PH111 ODD2020 Physics-1 2

15B11PH111 ODD2020 Physics-1 3

15B11PH111 ODD2020 Physics-1 4

So, for minimum thickness, n = 0, 2 μf t= λ/2 ⇒ t= λ/4μf

15B11PH111 ODD2020 Physics-1 5

The optical path difference

According to the Snell’s law,

In the figure, ΔECF and ΔFCL are

path difference is less here because

15B11PH111 ODD2020 Physics-1 7

In practical applications, where θ is very small,

For monochromatic light beam incident on a wedge shaped

15B11PH111 ODD2020 Physics-1 8

Fringe at Apex is Dark

Straight and parallel fringes

Locus of points having same

Fringes formed close to the top surface of wedge.

Fringes of equal thickness

Fringe width: if N=1 then (x2-x1)=β

Explain what happens to the fringe width (i) if wedge angle is

if u is intoduces means u>1 ,hence beta decreaes

Fringes of equal thickness

15B11PH111 ODD2020 Physics-1 12

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