Particle size in polarizing filters

RogerInHawaii · Jun 4, 2011

I know that light can be polarized by passing through a medium that has linear particles all oriented in the same direction. But what size particles are necessary to do that?

Andy Resnick · Jun 5, 2011

I couldn't find information about the size of of herapathite molecules (used in polarizer film), but infrared polarizers often consist of wires spaced apart around 1/4 the wavelength:

http://www.specac.com/products/infrared-polarizer/wire-grid-infrared-polarizer/654
http://www.internationalcrystal.net/icl59a.htm

Particle size in polarizing filters

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