On the reflection and transmission of light through thin transparent films

Abstract

A formula is deduced for the reflection and transmission of light through one thin film. The direction of the passing rays of light (right and left) is taken into account whereby a formula is obtained which is more general than that usually used. The former was used as the starting point for the deduction of formulae for the reflection and transmission of light through two and more thin films which were published by the author some years ago. An explanation is given of the complication of the formulae when the reflection of light from the upper film, adjacent to the air, is computed. The auxiliary phase deduced by the author in a previous paper is also explained as a necessary consequence.