Circular polarization through a linear polarizer

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SUMMARY

A circularly polarized wave, when passing through a linear polarizer, experiences a reduction in intensity to half its original value. This occurs because a circularly polarized wave can be decomposed into two linear polarizations that are 90 degrees out of phase. By aligning the polarizer with one of these linear polarizations, the other is effectively lost, resulting in a consistent intensity reduction regardless of the polarizer's orientation.

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  • Circular polarization concepts
  • Linear polarizer functionality
  • Wave decomposition techniques
  • Phase difference understanding
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  • Explore the mathematical representation of circular and linear polarizations
  • Investigate the effects of different polarizer orientations on wave intensity
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groopion1
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Hi:smile:
I have a question about a circularly polarized wave.
Once this wave passes through a linear polarizer - how is the wave intensity changed?
Someone has told me that the intensity decreases to its half value, but I’ve read somewhere the intensity is not changed…
So… what is the answer and why?
Thank u!
 
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It decreases by half. You can decompose a circularly polarized wave into the summation of two linear polarizations at normal directions (but with different phase of 90 degrees). Align the polarizer with one of the linear polarizations and you can see that you lose one of the polarizations. Since the way you decompose the wave is arbitrary, this is valid for all orientations of the polarizer.
 

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