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Glossary

  • Refraction index: for a transparent medium, ratio between the light speed in the air and the light speed in the medium ; for a reflective surface in the air or vacuum, the refraction index is « - 1 »
  • Angle of incidence: angle of a light ray incident on a surface with the normal to the surface
  • Transmission: ratio between transmitted radiation power (or intensity or amplitude) and incident radiation power (or intensity or amplitude)
  • Reflection coefficient: ratio between reflected light power ( or intensity or amplitude ) and incident light power ( or intensity or amplitude )
  • Reflectance: reflection coefficient related to the intensity
  • TE polarization: polarization of a wave whose electric field is perpendicular to a considered plane ; in the case of a wave incident on a surface, the considered plane is the incidence plane ( containing the wave direction and the normal to the surface )
  • TM polarization: wave whose magnetic field is perpendicular to a considered plane ; in the case of a wave incident on a surface, the considered plane is the incidence plane ( containing the wave direction and the normal to the surface )