Color Simulation of Multilayered Thin Films Using Python

Physical insight into a material can be first gained by its color, as the reflectance spectrum of an object reflects its microstructure and complex refractive indices. Here, we present a comprehensive overview of electrodynamics and optics related to reflectance spectra and color. We provide an open...

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Main Authors: Dongik Lee, Seunghun Lee
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Applied Sciences
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/9/4814
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author Dongik Lee
Seunghun Lee
author_facet Dongik Lee
Seunghun Lee
author_sort Dongik Lee
collection DOAJ
description Physical insight into a material can be first gained by its color, as the reflectance spectrum of an object reflects its microstructure and complex refractive indices. Here, we present a comprehensive overview of electrodynamics and optics related to reflectance spectra and color. We provide an open-source Python code for simulating reflectance spectra and extracting color values. The validity and applicability of the code are demonstrated through a comparative analysis with both the literature and experimental data. For SnO<sub>2</sub> and ZnO thin films deposited on SiO<sub>2</sub>/Si substrates using rf sputtering, the Python code and simulation predict color variations with the film thickness and effectively capture their angular dependence. This code will help in understanding and making use of color-related phenomena. It can be further used and developed for various purposes, particularly machine learning, which requires extensive spectral and color data for model training.
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spelling doaj-art-704a314efcae4738a045fbe8f46e5dd82025-08-20T02:30:45ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172025-04-01159481410.3390/app15094814Color Simulation of Multilayered Thin Films Using PythonDongik Lee0Seunghun Lee1Department of Physics, Pukyong National University, Busan 48513, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Physics, Pukyong National University, Busan 48513, Republic of KoreaPhysical insight into a material can be first gained by its color, as the reflectance spectrum of an object reflects its microstructure and complex refractive indices. Here, we present a comprehensive overview of electrodynamics and optics related to reflectance spectra and color. We provide an open-source Python code for simulating reflectance spectra and extracting color values. The validity and applicability of the code are demonstrated through a comparative analysis with both the literature and experimental data. For SnO<sub>2</sub> and ZnO thin films deposited on SiO<sub>2</sub>/Si substrates using rf sputtering, the Python code and simulation predict color variations with the film thickness and effectively capture their angular dependence. This code will help in understanding and making use of color-related phenomena. It can be further used and developed for various purposes, particularly machine learning, which requires extensive spectral and color data for model training.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/9/4814colorsimulationmultilayered structuresthin filmsPythonFresnel equations
spellingShingle Dongik Lee
Seunghun Lee
Color Simulation of Multilayered Thin Films Using Python
Applied Sciences
color
simulation
multilayered structures
thin films
Python
Fresnel equations
title Color Simulation of Multilayered Thin Films Using Python
title_full Color Simulation of Multilayered Thin Films Using Python
title_fullStr Color Simulation of Multilayered Thin Films Using Python
title_full_unstemmed Color Simulation of Multilayered Thin Films Using Python
title_short Color Simulation of Multilayered Thin Films Using Python
title_sort color simulation of multilayered thin films using python
topic color
simulation
multilayered structures
thin films
Python
Fresnel equations
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/9/4814
work_keys_str_mv AT dongiklee colorsimulationofmultilayeredthinfilmsusingpython
AT seunghunlee colorsimulationofmultilayeredthinfilmsusingpython