A thin film of polystyrene is used as an antireflective coating for fabulite (known as the substrate). the index of refraction of the polystyrene is 1.49, and the index of refraction of the fabulite is 2.409. what is the minimum thickness of film required? assume that the wavelength of the light in air is 500 nanometers.

To solve this problem, we assume that the wavelength of the light in air is 500 nanometers.

For this case we only need the refractive index of the polystyrene. For an antireflective coating, we need a quarter of wave thickness at the wavelength in the air. Which means that the antireflective coating needs to be as thick as 1/4 of the wavelength, divided by the coating’s refractive index. This is expressed mathematically in the form:

x = λ / (4 * n)

where,

x = thickness

λ = wavelength of light

n = index of refraction of polystyrene

Substituting:

x = 500 nm / (4 * 1.49)

x = 500 nm / 5.96

x = 83.90 nm