Thin Film Interference Vocabulary

Thin film interference

Result when light interacts with a thin and transparent layer that results in the constructive or destructive interference when the waves are reflected off the upper and lower boundaries of thin film surfaces. This interference pattern is influenced by the thickness of the film and the wavelength of the incident light. These collisions create colorful patterns seen in soap bubbles and oil slicks.

Oil Slick

A layer of oil forming on the surface of water, typically from a spill or natural seepage, that can have significant environmental and economic impacts.

Iridescence

The phenomenon where surfaces appear to change color from different angles, caused by varying thickness and light interference.

Wavelength

The distance between peaks in a wave.

Constructive interference

Occurs when two or more waves superpose to form a resultant wave with a greater amplitude than the waves that are superposed.

Destructive interference

Occurs when two or more wave crests cancel each other out and result in zero amplitude from the two wave.