Two figures in, a clear answer out. The thin film optics calculator uses refractive index of first medium (n₁), refractive index of optical film (n₂), refractive index of substrate (n₃), incident angle (θ₁), optical film thickness (d), wavelength, cos, asin and sin to produce s-polarized transmissivity at first interface, p-polarized transmissivity at first interface and s-polarized reflectivity at second interface, applying the standard relationship for this problem in the order the calculation actually needs it.
What Is the Thin Film Optics Calculator?
This thin film optics calculator is for the kind of problem where you know the physical quantities but not the number you need. It turns refractive index of first medium (n₁), refractive index of optical film (n₂), refractive index of substrate (n₃), incident angle (θ₁), optical film thickness (d), wavelength, cos, asin and sin into s-polarized transmissivity at first interface, p-polarized transmissivity at first interface and s-polarized reflectivity at second interface.
Physics calculations go wrong in predictable ways, usually through mixing units or dropping a digit. Work through the result one step at a time and check that the figures are the size you would expect at each stage.
How the Thin Film Optics Physics Works
The relationship is applied step by step, and each step is a standard piece of physics rather than a single opaque formula. That means you can check the intermediate values against what the theory predicts, which is usually faster than checking only the final answer.
Keep every value in the same unit system throughout the calculation. Mixing metres and feet part way through is the single most common reason a correct formula gives a wrong answer.
Units, Assumptions and the Limits of the Model
The calculation assumes ideal conditions: no air resistance, no heat loss, and dimensions that do not change while you work. Those assumptions are reasonable for most classroom and engineering estimates, and unreasonable for anything more precise.
Where a value is a rate, it has to be quoted for the same period as everything else. A per-hour figure cannot be combined with a per-day figure without converting one of them first.
A Worked Example
Working through an example, with refractive index of first medium (n₁) set to 10, refractive index of optical film (n₂) set to 5, refractive index of substrate (n₃) set to 2, the calculator returns refraction angle in optical film (θ₂) of -, and refraction angle in substrate (θ₃) of -, and s-polarized reflectivity at first interface of -. Substitute your own figures and the same steps produce the same kind of answer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I need to work out s-polarized transmissivity at first interface?
Enter refractive index of first medium (n₁), refractive index of optical film (n₂), refractive index of substrate (n₃), incident angle (θ₁), optical film thickness (d), wavelength, cos, asin and sin. The calculator then works through the relationship and reports s-polarized transmissivity at first interface, p-polarized transmissivity at first interface and s-polarized reflectivity at second interface.
What does the thin film optics actually calculate?
It takes refractive index of first medium (n₁), refractive index of optical film (n₂), refractive index of substrate (n₃), incident angle (θ₁), optical film thickness (d), wavelength, cos, asin and sin and converts them into s-polarized transmissivity at first interface, p-polarized transmissivity at first interface and s-polarized reflectivity at second interface using the standard relationship for this problem. Each step is applied in turn, so every output is traceable back to the numbers you typed in.
How should I enter refractive index of first medium (n₁)?
Use the value you actually have, in the unit shown next to the field. Enter every value in the same unit system. The calculator assumes the figures you supply are consistent, so it cannot correct a mistake that happens before the calculation starts.
Can I use this for a quick estimate as well as a precise answer?
Yes. The calculator is built for quick checks, so round your inputs to a sensible number of significant figures and the result will be just as useful. If you need more precision, keep the same method and add digits to the inputs rather than adjusting the method itself.
Is the answer exact?
It is as exact as the formula and the inputs allow. The method itself is the standard one for this problem, so the only sources of error are the figures you enter and the precision you ask for.