Abstract

The optical properties of globular Sn films on Al₂O₃ substrates are analyzed. These films are composed of Sn particles with sizes of the order of the wavelength of visible light, and are of interest because of their solar-selective properties. The experimental data show interference-film properties at long wavelengths, and a large diffracted component at short wavelengths superimposed on a Lambertian angular distribution. The calculated properties of finite-conductivity wire gratings in general agree well with the observed film properties; however, at short wavelengths a scalar diffraction model describes the angular distribution of the transmitted diffracted light. In this model the globular film appears to have film-thickness variations, and a coherence length of approximately two globule diameters. With an empirical “shadowing” term removed from the experimental data, this scalar model works well even at relatively long wavelengths (λ/4 ≤ globule radius).

© 1978 Optical Society of America

Solar-selective globular metal films

Chris M. Horwitz
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 68(8) 1032-1038 (1978)

Light scattering from aggregated noble-metal films

V. V. Truong and G. D. Scott
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 68(2) 189-193 (1978)

Optical behavior of a metal island film

Tomuo Yamaguchi, Hidetoshi Takahashi, and Akiyoshi Sudoh
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 68(8) 1039-1044 (1978)

Optical properties of evaporated films of ZnS in the vacuum ultraviolet from 160 to 2000 A

W. R. Hunter, D. W. Angel, and G. Hass
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 68(10) 1319-1322 (1978)

Interference of Light in Metallic Films

J. B. Nathanson
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 23(11) 388-393 (1933)