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fluidistic
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Homework Statement
I was stuck on a question today in my Optics exam (I didn't have time to think well about it but I'm still stuck).
The problem was more or less like this: There's an incident linearly polarized light in the direction of [tex]\hat x[/tex]; we want to polarize it so that we get [tex]\hat E = \hat x \cos 30+ \hat y \sin 30[/tex].
1)Give a method to get such a polarization, with a loss of intensity.
2)Give a method to get such a polarization, without any loss of intensity nor the use of any polaroid.
Homework Equations
Not sure.
The Attempt at a Solution
1)A linear polarizer in the direction of [tex]\hat E[/tex].
2)Assuming that the E field of the incident light lies in a normal plane to the plane of incidence, I can apply Brewster's angle formula if I consider that the light pass through an optically active material. So that there's no reflection over the surface (hence no loss of intensity of the light). If I consider the width of the material to be finite, I could rotate the E field to get the desired direction. However I think there would be some internal reflection inside the material and I've no other idea on how I could solve the problem.
Any thoughts?