Reflection spectroscopy of optically active materials

Theoretical and experimental results are presented to determine under what conditions it is possible to obtain the optical constants of an optically active material by reflection techniques. Experimental results are given for absorbing and non-absorbing materials. Typical examples include Liquids, thin-films, and isotropic crystals. It is concluded that it is necessary to separate the back and front surface reflections. The front surface reflection contains information that is generally within the sensitivity of available spectropolarimeters. The back surface reflection contains recoverable data and is similar to the data found by transmission methods. Experimental verification of the front surface effect is presented for one highly absorbing amino acid, tryptophane.