MehrfachspiegelSystemen

Mehrfachspiegelung refers to the phenomenon of multiple reflections of light. This occurs when light bounces back and forth between two or more reflective surfaces. Each reflection causes a portion of the light to be transmitted and a portion to be reflected. The intensity of the reflected light decreases with each subsequent bounce, as some light is absorbed or scattered by the surfaces with each interaction.

This effect is commonly observed in everyday situations. For instance, when standing between two parallel mirrors, you can see an almost infinite series of reflections of yourself, stretching into the distance. Each reflection is a fainter replica of the previous one. Similarly, a scene viewed through a window with a reflective coating on the inside can also exhibit multiple reflections, where the interior of the room is reflected back onto the window, and this reflection is then reflected by the outer surface.

Mehrfachspiegelung has practical applications in optical instruments. In some lasers, for example, mirrors are used to create a resonant cavity, bouncing light back and forth to amplify its intensity. In scientific instruments like interferometers, precise control of multiple reflections is crucial for measuring small distances or changes in optical path length. The understanding and manipulation of this phenomenon are fundamental to many areas of optics and photonics.