Brewster's Angle: Reflection and Refraction Intensity

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    Angle Brewster's angle
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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on Brewster's Angle, specifically regarding the behavior of unpolarized light when it interacts with a quartz surface. At Brewster's Angle, only s-polarized light is reflected, while both s and p-polarized light are refracted. The intensity of the refracted light is determined to be 50% due to the random nature of unpolarized light, which averages the contributions of both polarization states. To calculate the intensity of reflected and refracted light, participants suggest using Malus' Law, although the specific angles for calculations require clarification.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Brewster's Angle and its implications on light polarization
  • Familiarity with Malus' Law for calculating light intensity
  • Knowledge of light polarization states: s-polarized and p-polarized light
  • Basic principles of optics, particularly reflection and refraction
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the mathematical derivation of Brewster's Angle
  • Study the application of Malus' Law in various optical scenarios
  • Explore the behavior of light at different interfaces, focusing on s and p polarization
  • Investigate the intensity distribution of reflected and refracted light in unpolarized light scenarios
USEFUL FOR

Students and professionals in optics, physicists studying light behavior, and anyone interested in the applications of polarization in materials like quartz.

quietrain
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ok, at brewster angle ,i know when unpolarized light incident on a quartz stack has only s polarized reflections and , s & p polarized refractions into the quartz.

but why is the intensity of refracted light 50% if quartz don't absorb light? is it due to the random nature of unpolarized light so on the average, its 50%?

also, how do i know what is the intensity of the s-light reflected and the s-light refracted with the p-light? am i suppose to use malus' law for the refracted part? but what will be my angle? 90? then what about the reflected part?

thanks
 
Science news on Phys.org
Don't work your problem with a stack of quartz; that clutters things up. Focus on a single surface.
 
ok if i work with only 1 piece, then how do i know the intensity of the reflected s-light? and the transmitted s and p light?
 

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