Have you ever encountered the transmission of light? Light enters from one medium to another and bends at a specific angle. That is what demonstrates its features and helps in the determination of different applications.
Glass materials range from 100% transparent to 0% transparent. Guess what? 100% transparent material has different features and applications.
Moreover, the suitability of use also relies on the transmission and transmittance features. Today, we will compare the transmission with the transmittance and highlight the different applications.
What is the transmission of light?
Transmission of light is a common phenomenon in transparent materials.
The passage of the light through the medium without absorption or reflection.
Usually, when a light passes through a material, it is either reflected or refracted. This phenomenon comes with speed, energy, or wavelength changes.
- Speed. In transmission, speed change occurs based on the medium refractive indices. For example, light passes slower through the glass. The possible bending occurs due to slow speed.
- Wavelength. The change in wavelength occurs due to the medium change of the material.
- Energy might decrease depending on the medium, too.
Transmission of light through the glass materials has two possible types.
- External Transmission. The comparison of the light intensity when entering the glass with the exit gives an idea of the overall transmission of the light.
- Internal Transmission. Experts measure the light filtration of the glass materials by assessing the internal intensity changes.
What is the transmittance of light?
Transmittance is a term relevant to the transmission. The medium can transmit the light. In simple words, consider it the quantitative measurement of the light transmission.
Transmittance equation is
Transmittance(T)= I (Transmitted) / I (Incident)
- I (Transmitted) is the intensity of the light that has passed out of the material.
- I (Incident) is the intensity of light that enters the material.
You must interpret the results of the transmittance. For example, 100% light transmission means light has passed through the material without absorption or scattering. On the other hand, 0% means the light has not transmitted through the material.
Remember, the opaque material has low transmittance, while the transparent material has a high transmittance.
Transmission Vs. Transmittance; Ultimate Differences
Transmission and transmittance are counterparts of the same story. The differences are in the measurements.
Transmission and transmittance have some key differences. Here is a detailed overview of both topics
Qualitative vs. Quantitative
Qualitative research is something that shows that something is available. On the other hand, quantitative data shows how many pieces of a thing are available. In simple words, consider the exact measurements of different values. Both are crucial, whether qualitative or quantitative, depending on your approach and applications.
Transmission is the qualitative terminology. It shows the light has passed through the material. But it doesn’t talk about the scattering, absorption, or reflection of the light. It just shows the light has entered the medium and exited through it with different reactions.
Transmittance is the quantitative measurement of the light passage. For example, 10% of the light has passed through the material. 90% have undergone the absorption. Similarly, the experts get valuable ideas about the overall glass quality by exploring the detailed transmittance.
Measurement Tools
Measurement can be a tricky step. A comprehensive process is required to measure the detailed data applications. In qualitative aspects, observation and analysis are sometimes sufficient to sort out the results.
Transmission measurement is often qualitative. So you don’t need to have a special measurement instrument. Observation and analysis of the light behavior are sufficient to give an idea of the transmission process. For instance, you can study how light passes through glass materials.
Transmittance measurement is much more crucial and necessary. Tools like spectrophotometers quantify the light passage through the medium. They may highlight the light dispersion and percentage of transmission through the medium. This measurement is necessary for the research and development of the different glass types and applications. Therefore, the reliability of data is crucial in such a case.
Scope of applications
Undoubtedly, glass is a valuable material for numerous applications. You can find various uses of glass, from phone display screens to TV screens. However, the modifications of the transmission features can impact the overall application scope.
Since transmission is a qualitative measurement, it is used in the following:
- Optics
- Physics
- Engineering
Engineers and experts observe the behavior of the light through the fiber optics and understand the overall pattern. They implement various laws of physics to achieve the required applications.
Compared to it, transmittance is all about accuracy. So, it is useful for advanced and specialized applications. All material science applications where the opacity and transparency of the material matter depend on the transmittance of the light through a medium. Moreover, the exact values ensure the accuracy of the different glass applications in various fields.
Which one is suitable and why?
If you are looking into the transmission vs transmittance and come across the suitability questions, consider the different usage scenarios and suitability.
For example:
- Transmission tells the behavior of the light. So, the experts can modify and use the materials in automotive and infrastructure applications.
- Transmittance gives the exact value of the material. So, it is a favorite choice for applications requiring accurate reflection, transmission, or material transparency. You must also consider the transmittance for customization, as it can nurture the required glass.
Finally, don’t make instant decisions about the usage case. Instead, measure:
- Type of material you need
- Features of the material
- Accuracy of the light behavior
- Application usage and relevant aspects
All these factors make the perfect decision for your various applications.
Conclusion
The customized light transmission of the glass materials is sometimes crucial for specific applications. So, explore the glass manufacturers who offer the customization.
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