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Electric field standing wave effects in internal reflection and ATR spectroscopy
Thomas G Mayerhöfer1, Jürgen Popp1
1Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology (IPHT), Albert-Einstein-Str. 9, D-07745 Jena, Germany; Institute of Physical Chemistry and Abbe Center of Photonics, Friedrich Schiller University, Helmholtzweg 4, D-07743 Jena, Germany.
Spectrochimica Acta. Part A, Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy
|October 15, 2017
Summary
We found strong resonances in optical systems, leading to enhanced evanescent fields. This enables new spectroscopic methods like interference-enhanced Raman and infrared spectroscopy.
Area of Science:
- Optics and Photonics
- Spectroscopy
Background:
- Investigating electric field standing wave effects in multilayer optical systems.
- Understanding wave propagation at interfaces with different refractive indices.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore resonance phenomena in a semi-infinite incidence medium/layer/vacuum system.
- To propose novel spectroscopic techniques based on observed optical effects.
Main Methods:
- Theoretical analysis of electric field standing waves.
- Modeling evanescent field behavior near critical angles.
- Identifying conditions for strong optical resonances.
Main Results:
- Observed strong resonances when the layer's refractive index is lower than the incidence medium.
- Demonstrated significant extension of evanescent fields into the exit medium near critical angles.
- Identified the layer acting as an optical cavity.
Conclusions:
- The system exhibits strong resonances exploitable for enhanced optical sensing.
- Proposed interference-enhanced internal reflection Raman spectroscopy.
- Proposed interference-enhanced attenuated total reflection infrared spectroscopy.