2020 Student Research Conference:
33rd Annual Student Research Conference

Power Loss in Diffraction Gratings


Jon W. Baine*, Kevin Barrow, and Curtis Womach
Dr. Michael Goggin, Faculty Mentor

When incident light reflects from a diffraction grating its power is distributed in multiple diffraction orders. In 1902 Rayleigh Wood discovered what is now known as Wood’s Anomaly.  Later research suggests Wood’s Anomaly is due to Surface Plasmon Resonance. This anomaly is manifested as power loss in the reflected light from diffraction gratings. In repeating Wood’s experiment we have observed Wood’s Anomaly. We have also observed for some gratings asymmetry in the power loss. The relationship between incident angle, incident wavelength, and grating spacing can be used to calculate and show an expected symmetric power loss. Progress towards understanding these anomalous results will be presented.

Keywords: Wood's Anomaly, Diffraction Grating, Surface Plasmon Resonance

Topic(s):Physics

Presentation Type: Oral Presentation

Session: TBA
Location: TBA
Time: TBA

* Indicates the Student Presenter
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