Problem 37.11: A dielectric mirror
The animation demonstrates how layers of alternating materials can be used to form a mirror (position is given in arbitrary units). For more discussion of this process, see the dielectric mirror Illustration (Illustration 37.2) in this chapter. By itself, each material will allow light to be transmitted through it. But when layered in a particular way, the materials act as a mirror, reflecting most of the incident light. Restart.
How does such a mirror work? In other words, conceptually explain the physics behind this phenomenon.
Physlets were developed at Davidson College and converted from Java to JavaScript using the SwingJS system developed at St. Olaf College.
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