How Does Rotating a Glan-Thompson Polarizator Affect Brewster's Angle?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the behavior of a Glan-Thompson polarizator and its effect on Brewster's angle when rotated. The Glan-Thompson polarizator utilizes birefringence to produce polarized light, with Brewster's angle being a critical factor for polarization. When the polarizator is rotated around its axis, the Brewster angle is altered, leading to the disappearance of the expected polarized beam. This phenomenon is attributed to the change in the angle between the optic axis and the light propagation direction, affecting the output polarization state.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of birefringence in optical materials
  • Familiarity with Brewster's angle and its significance in polarization
  • Knowledge of the optical properties of the Glan-Thompson polarizator
  • Basic principles of light propagation and polarization
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the mathematical derivation of Brewster's angle in relation to birefringent materials
  • Explore the operational principles of the Glan-Thompson polarizator in detail
  • Study the effects of varying angles on polarization states in optical systems
  • Investigate other types of polarizers and their applications in optics
USEFUL FOR

Optics students, physicists, and engineers working with polarized light and optical devices will benefit from this discussion.

Niles
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Hi

I understand why a Glan-Thompson polarizator (http://www.thorlabs.de/newgrouppage9.cfm?objectgroup_id=116) works, i.e. birefringence. Currently I am sending light through one, and the beam that goes straight out has a Brewster angle, i.e. it must be polarized parallel to the plane of incidence.

When I turn the polarizator around its axis, then the Brewster angle disappears. I don't understand that, and I can't find the explanation in any of my books on optics. Can anyone help out?Niles.
 
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I guess its basically a question of what happens when I change the angle between the optic axis and the propagation direction, but how does that change what component comes out where?
 

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