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Fresnel rhomb
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A Fresnel rhomb is an optical prism that introduces a 90° phase difference between two perpendicular components of polarization, by means of two total internal reflections. If the incident beam is linearly polarized at 45° to the plane of incidence and reflection, the emerging beam is circularly polarized, and vice versa. If the incident beam is linearly polarized at some other inclination, the emerging beam is elliptically polarized with one principal axis in the plane of reflection, and vice versa.
Augustin-Jean Fresnel (1788–1827).
Augustin-Jean Fresnel (1788–1827).
Total internal reflection
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In physics, total internal reflection (TIR) is the phenomenon in which waves arriving at the interface (boundary) from one medium to another are not refracted into the second ("external") medium, but completely reflected back into the first ("internal") medium. It occurs when the second medium has a higher wave speed than the first, and the waves are incident at a sufficiently oblique angle on the interface. For example, the water-to-air surface in a typical fish tank, when viewed obliquely from below, reflects the underwater scene like a mirror with no loss of brightness (Fig. 1).
Fig. 1: Underwater plants in a fish tank, and their inverted images (top) formed by total internal reflection in the water–air surface
Fig. 1: Underwater plants in a fish tank, and their inverted images (top) formed by total internal reflection in the water–air surface
Fig. 2: Repeated total internal reflection of a 405 nm laser beam between the front and back surfaces of a glass pane. The color of the laser light it
Fig. 2: Repeated total internal reflection of a 405 nm laser beam between the front and back surfaces of a glass pane. The color of the laser light itself is deep violet; but its wavelength is short enough to cause fluorescence in the glass, which re-radiates greenish light in all directions, rendering the zigzag beam visible.
Fig. 3: Total internal reflection of light in a semicircular acrylic block
Fig. 3: Total internal reflection of light in a semicircular acrylic block
Fig. 7: Total internal reflection by the water's surface at the shallow end of a swimming pool. The broad bubble-like apparition between the swimmer a
Fig. 7: Total internal reflection by the water's surface at the shallow end of a swimming pool. The broad bubble-like apparition between the swimmer and her reflection is merely a disturbance of the reflecting surface. Some of the space above the water level can be seen through "Snell's window" at the top of the frame.