Fresnel equations

E39347

The Fresnel equations are fundamental formulas in optics that describe how light is partially reflected and transmitted at the boundary between two media with different refractive indices, depending on polarization and angle of incidence.


Statements (48)
Predicate Object
instanceOf optics formula
physical law
appliesTo boundary between two media
assumes linear, homogeneous, isotropic media
monochromatic plane wave
planar interface
basedOn Maxwell's equations
electromagnetic boundary conditions
dependsOn angle of incidence
polarization of light
refractive indices of the media
describes reflection of light at an interface
transmission of light at an interface
domain classical optics
field electromagnetism
optics
hasComponent reflection coefficient for p-polarization
reflection coefficient for s-polarization
transmission coefficient for p-polarization
transmission coefficient for s-polarization
hasForm amplitude reflection coefficient
amplitude transmission coefficient
intensity reflectance
intensity transmittance
namedAfter Augustin-Jean Fresnel
predicts Brewster's angle for p-polarized light
total internal reflection conditions
relatedTo Fresnel coefficients
Fresnel integrals
Fresnel reflectance
Snell's law
relates incident electric field amplitude
reflected electric field amplitude
transmitted electric field amplitude
timePeriod 19th century
usedFor calculating reflectance
calculating transmittance
computer graphics shading models
designing optical interfaces
modeling anti-reflection coatings
remote sensing reflectance models
thin-film interference analysis
usedIn atmospheric optics
computer graphics physically based rendering
fiber optics
laser optics
optical engineering
validFor angles of incidence below critical angle for total internal reflection

Referenced by (5)
Subject (surface form when different) Predicate
Augustin-Jean Fresnel
Augustin-Jean Fresnel
knownFor
Fresnel equations ("Fresnel reflectance")
Fresnel equations ("Fresnel coefficients")
relatedTo
Augustin-Jean Fresnel ("Fresnel")
familyName

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