Optical Transfer Matrix method of layers with mechanical movements

TL;DR

This paper extends the transfer matrix method to account for mechanical movements of layers, analyzing how velocity and velocity gradients influence electromagnetic reflection and transmission.

Contribution

It introduces a modified transfer matrix approach that incorporates layer movements and velocity gradients, providing new insights into dynamic optical systems.

Findings

Velocity affects phase and amplitude of reflection coefficients.

Velocity gradients influence optical properties in layered systems.

Modified method enables analysis of moving and flowing layers.

Abstract

Transfer matrix method is a well-known and extensively used tool to compute the reflection and transmission coefficients of electromagnetic waves when interacting with a system of layers parallel to each other. We present here a modified form of transfer matrix method including the effects of any possible kinetic movements of layers with respect to each other with a constant velocity. We present a comprehensive analysis of the effect of velocity on the phase and amplitude of the reflection coefficient as a function of velocity. Additionally, to mimic the flow of liquids on top of layers we also present the effect of velocity gradients in the direction normal to the planar layers.