How Does Scattering Angle Affect Light Polarization?

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The discussion focuses on the relationship between scattering angle and light polarization in the context of Thomson scattering. It establishes that the degree of polarization, represented by the formula Π = (1 - cos²θ) / (1 + cos²θ), is derived from the intensity of scattered light. The attempt to solve the problem involves using Malus' law to relate the intensity of the scattered light to the angle of scattering. The participant explores the connection between intensity and amplitude, confirming that intensity is proportional to the square of the amplitude. The conclusion emphasizes the correct formulation of the degree of polarization based on the scattering angle.
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Homework Statement


A beam of unpolarized radiation is incident upon an electron. Show that the degree of polarization in the light scattered at an angle \theta to the incident beam is \Pi where

\Pi = \frac{1- \cos^2\theta}{1+ \cos^2 \theta}.


2. The attempt at a solution
This is a Thomson scattering and the polarization is linear so I guess Malus' law must be used, i.e.

I = I_0 \cos^2 \theta.

I'm interpreting the degree of polarization as

\Pi = \frac{I_{max} - I_{min}}{I_{max} + I_{min}}

but I cannot get the correct result.
 
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Is it correct that the intensity is related to the amplitude as I \propto A^2 and the incoming amplitude is related to the scattered amplitude as A' = A \cos \theta so that the scattered intensity is I_s = A^2 \cos^2 \theta and the degree of polarization becomes
\Pi = \frac{I - I_s}{I + I_s} =\frac{A^2 (1 - \cos^2 \theta)}{A^2 (1 + \cos^2 \theta)} = \frac{1 - \cos^2 \theta}{1 + \cos^2 \theta}?
 
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