Microwave optics experiments

Abstract

In this project, we use a simple experimental set-up in order to observe Total Internal Reflection within a right-angle PVC prism. Later, we measure Frustrated Total Internal Reflection, also known as optical tunnelling, using two of such prisms. Before doing so, we also study our non-ideal experimental set-up. Its imperfections, on the one hand, set several diffculties when it comes to quantitatively analyze the experimentally obtained data. On the other hand, though, these deviations from the ideal behaviour are interesting enough to be studied by themselves. As suggested in the title, these experiments have been performed using microwaves, instead of visible light, the most commonly used spectrum in optics experiments.