High School Has anyone tested a polarization filter sending through photon by photon?

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Testing a polarization filter can be effectively done using a source of vertically polarized light, sending photons through at a 45-degree angle, with expected results around 500 photons detected out of 1000. The discussion highlights the difficulty in finding published papers on this common experiment, likening it to the challenge of verifying the sun's existence despite its obvious presence. While some suggest checking textbooks for foundational knowledge, the consensus is that such experiments are widely accepted in practice. A reference to a specific paper was shared, though its necessity was debated. Overall, the conversation emphasizes the reliability of polarization filters in photon experiments.
calinvass
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To properly test a filter, I understand we can use a source of vertically polarized light. We send photon by photon say 1000 though a filter at, for example, 45 degrees the count the ones on the other side. We should get roughly 500, depending of the quality of the setup.
I was interested in a link to a paper that presents such an experiment.
 
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Don't think such a paper would make it through the reviewing process. Better check textbooks and such.
 
Every low-power beam of incoherent light does that experiment indirectly. Nothing would work if the filters wouldn't filter as they should.

It is hard to find publications for something everyone uses. As comparison: It is easy to find papers discussing solar flares, but hard to find papers verifying that the sun does exist.
 
I like the analogy with the sun.
Thanks.
I can safely exclude this possibility( in the op).
 
Last edited:
BvU said:
Don't think such a paper would make it through the reviewing process. Better check textbooks and such.

Yes, that's probably true, unless it showed a different result. But, indeed, seems very unlikely. If there was one, it didn't show a different result.
 
calinvass said:
To properly test a filter, I understand we can use a source of vertically polarized light. We send photon by photon say 1000 though a filter at, for example, 45 degrees the count the ones on the other side. We should get roughly 500, depending of the quality of the setup.
I was interested in a link to a paper that presents such an experiment.

http://journals.aps.org/prb/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevB.94.121405
 
Thanks for the link.
Although they claim the source to be very efficient, I don't think such a source is absolutely necessary. However, it should work better.
A BBO crystal can be used I guess, to confirm every photon similarly to the setup in the Delayed Choice QE, by Kim et. al.
 

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