Abstract

We investigated when the reflectance R^(p) for p-polarized light becomes exactly zero in an attenuated-total-reflection configuration where surface plasma waves at a metal–dielectric interface are excited. We particularly studied the reflection from coated metal mirrors at infrared wavelengths, where the complex refractive index n₂ = n₂′ + in₂″ of the dielectric coating has a real part smaller than unity. When a certain relation between n₂′ and n₂″ is satisfied, the reflectance R^(p) versus incidence angle has deep broad minima for a large range of coating thicknesses. Such mirrors would be efficient reflection polarizers and would have high hemispherical thermal emissivities.

© 1978 Optical Society of America

Attenuated total reflection angular spectra of a system of alternating plasma-dielectric layers

G. J. Kovacs and G. D. Scott
Appl. Opt. 17(22) 3627-3635 (1978)

Surface polariton in the ATR angular spectra of a thin iron film bounded by dielectric layers

G. J. Kovacs
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 68(10) 1325-1332 (1978)

Attenuated total reflection angular spectra and associated resonant electromagnetic oscillations of a dielectric slab bounded by Ag films

G. J. Kovacs and G. D. Scott
Appl. Opt. 17(20) 3314-3322 (1978)

Thin-film absorption coefficients by attenuated-total-reflection spectroscopy

R. T. Holm and E. D. Palik
Appl. Opt. 17(3) 394-403 (1978)

Photon echoes in plasmas: collisional relaxation in helium on 2 ³S₁–3 ³P₀₁₂

T. Baer and I. D. Abella
Opt. Lett. 3(5) 170-171 (1978)