Total internal reflection in perpendicular interfaces · CAP 2003 #22

Physics · optics

Problem

In the diagram below, light is incident on the interface between media 1 and 2 at exactly the critical angle, and is totally reflected. The light is then also totally reflected at the interface between media 1 and 3, after which it travels in a direction opposite to its initial direction. The two interfaces are perpendicular. The media must have a refractive index nn such that [Figure: Light path showing total internal reflection at two perpendicular interfaces between media with refractive indices n1, n2, and n3] (a) n1<n2<n3n_1 < n_2 < n_3; (b) n22−n12≥n32n_2^2 - n_1^2 \geq n_3^2; (c) n22−n12≥n32n_2^2 - n_1^2 \geq n_3^2; (d) n12+n22≥n32n_1^2 + n_2^2 \geq n_3^2.

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