To ensure almost 100 per cent transmissivity, photographic lenses are often coated with a thin layer of dielectric material. The refractive index of this material is intermediated between that of air and glass (which makes the optical element of the lens). A typically used dielectric film is MgF2 (n = 1.38). What should the thickness of the film be so that at the centre of the visible spectrum (5500 Ao) there is maximum transmission?
To ensure almost 100 per cent transmissivity, photographic lenses are often coated with a thin layer of dielectric material. The refractive index of this material is intermediated between that of air and glass (which makes the optical element of the lens). A typically used dielectric film is MgF2 (n = 1.38). What should the thickness of the film be so that at the centre of the visible spectrum (5500 Ao) there is maximum transmission?

IA is incident at point A, forming an incident angle I between the air and the film surface. The reflected and refracted rays are AR1 and AD, respectively. D is the point where the partial reflection from the glass and film interface. CR2 and AR1 are inextricably linked.

μ(AD + CD) – AB

AD = AC = d/cos r

d tan r = AC/2

d = 1000 Ao