THE FIBER FORUM

Fiber Optic Communications

PRESENTED BY

JOSEPH C. PALAIS
 Chapter 2
OPTICS REVIEW

Joseph C. Palais 2.1 2

 Section 2.1
Ray Theory and Applications
Index of Refraction
n = c/v
c = 3 x 108 m/s, velocity of light in free space
v = velocity of light in the medium
n > 1, (usually)

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 Ray Theory and Applications

Material Index n
CO2 1
Water 1.33
Glass ~1.5
Silicon 3.5
GaAs 3.35

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 REFLECTION
Reflection at a Boundary
n1 n2
Transmitted Ray
Reflected Ray
r t
i Boundary
Normal
Incident Ray

Boundary

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 REFLECTION
n1 and n2 are the indices of refraction for
medium 1 and 2 respectfully. i is the angle of
incidence to the normal. r is the angle of
reflection relative to the normal. t is the angle
of transmission relative to the normal.

It should be noted that r = i .

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 REFLECTION
If any power crosses the boundary, t is
given in terms of Snell’s law:
sin  n
t  1
sin  n (2.3)
i 2
n
sin   1 sin 
t n i
2

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 REFLECTION
SINE FUNCTION
The sin function
1

Sin 
sin  t
0.5

0
0 20 40 60 80 100
 t
ANGLE 
deg
The only angles with physical significance are
degrees

those between of 0º and 90º

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 REFLECTION
From Snell’s law:
If n1 < n2 , then sin(t) < sin(i) and t < i .
We conclude that transmitted ray is bent towards
the normal.

n1 n2
t
i Normal
Boundary

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 REFLECTION
If n1 > n2 , then sin(t) > sin(i) and t > i .

The transmitted ray is bent away from the normal.

n1 n2
t
i Normal

Boundary

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