An analysis of the errors in optical constants obtained from reflectance measurements

For n and k in the ranges 1·0less-than-or-eq, slantnless-than-or-eq, slant4·0, 1·0less-than-or-eq, slantkless-than-or-eq, slant4·0, a computer study has been made of the way in which large errors in n and k may arise from errors in reflection coefficients, when the latter are measured at angles of incidence other than 74°. It is shown, as an example, that at near normal incidence errors in the product nk of ±76% are possible for n=2·00, k=3·00 when the measured reflection coefficient is in error by ±0·001.