ABSTRACT
The properties of light are quantified in various ways related to its interaction with matter. Of particular interest are the effects of the various optical materials and geometry of layout as used in photographic imaging and illumination systems. Modern high refractive index glasses have a significant spectral absorption which is wavelength-dependent, especially in the blue region, giving a distinct yellow appearance to the transmitted image. The presence of marks, scratches and surface irregularities on film causes refraction and scattering of transmitted light when printing, especially by collimated or near-collimated light, emphasizing these defects on subsequent prints. When a beam of light passes through a narrow aperture, it spreads out by a small amount into the region of the geometrical shadow. A beam of linearly polarized light can itself be resolved into two orthogonal polarized beams by means such as double refraction in optically active materials.
