The optical properties of a thin metal film are derived, with a thin film defined as having a thickness smaller than the wavelength of the radiation and the skin depth. The derivation is based on the continuity equation for the electric field and on the energy balance for the incident, reflected, transmitted, and absorbed energy current. The use of thin metal films as anti‐interference coatings, as absorbers for the infrared, as semitransparent mirrors in interferometric devices and beam splitters, and as mirrors is discussed.

Topics
Electrodynamics, Thin films, Optical coatings, Optical devices, Optical properties, Equations of fluid dynamics
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© 1992 American Association of Physics Teachers.
1992
American Association of Physics Teachers
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