Richard Clark wrote:
But, hey, what's 2% error in a conservation of energy equation?

The error is yours. During steady-state, the forward power
in the thin film is 1.0101 watts. 1% of that is 0.0101 watts.
1.0101 - 0.0101 = one watt delivered to the "load". 100%
accuracy is guaranteed because it is a mental conceptual
exercise. To summarize:

Forward power in air is one watt.
Reflected power in air is zero watts.

Forward power in the thin-film is 1.010101010101010101 watts.
Reflected power in the thin-film is 0.10101010101010101 watts.

Power delivered through Surface B is exactly one watt, exactly
the output of the laser. Exactly the difference between the
steady-state forward and reflected power in the thin-film.

Well, for 1W of light and presuming cancellation (you cannot achieve
full cancellation)

That's the great thing about a mental conceptual example. Full
cancellation is guaranteed.

So, energy is conserved, and there is no such thing as complete
cancellation.

True for real world stuff. False for mental conceptual examples
like the one being discussed.
--
73, Cecil, http://www.qsl.net/w5dxp


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