Polarizing Light through Two Filters

  • Thread starter Thread starter thiefjack
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Filters Light
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the behavior of polarized light when passing through two filters, specifically analyzing the relationship between the electric field vector and the polarizing axes of the filters. The key conclusion is that the electric field component, E perpendicular, remains oriented perpendicularly to the analyzer's axis regardless of its angle θ, as long as θ is not perpendicular to the polarizer's axis. The magnitude of the electric field vector at the analyzer output is determined by the cosine of the angle difference between the analyzer and polarizer axes, expressed as cos(θ - φ).

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of polarized light and its properties
  • Familiarity with electric field vectors
  • Knowledge of trigonometric functions, specifically cosine
  • Basic concepts of optical filters and their alignment
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the principles of light polarization and its applications
  • Learn about the mathematical representation of electric fields in optics
  • Explore the effects of multiple polarizers on light intensity
  • Investigate the use of polarizing filters in photography and imaging techniques
USEFUL FOR

Students of physics, optical engineers, photographers, and anyone interested in the principles of light behavior and polarization techniques.

thiefjack
Messages
11
Reaction score
0
Hello, all.

I have a general question related to something I read in a book right now. Not taking a course so I have no professor to ask, so I come to you all!

To speed things up, I have this image I took from the book:
xlvMtdrl.png


My question is if the analyzer's polarizing axis was an arbitrary theta from the vertical, then E perpendicular would still lie on it's axis, right? As long as it wasn't perpendicular.

I'm having a hard time visualizing this for some reason.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
E perpendicular is by definition taken perpendicularly to the analyzer's axis, no matter how the latter axis is oriented.
 
Say the analyzer's axis is at angle θ where θ is measured clockwise from the vertical, same as with phi, the polarizer axis angle. Then the electric field vector at the analyzer output would be oriented as θ with magnitude cos(θ - phi). In your illustration, θ = 0.
 

Similar threads

Effect of a polarizer/analyzer on partially polarized light
  • · Replies 25 ·
Replies
25
Views
4K
How does polarization show the wave nature of light?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Polarization of Light: Polarizer
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
How can light be partially polarized?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Effect of Rotating Polarizing Films
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
Things to talk about in a Polarization Write-up
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Polarizing Filters Fraction of Light Passing Through
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
System of two wheels of different sizes with an axle through their centers
  • · Replies 67 ·
3
Replies
67
Views
5K
Help with derivation of Malus' Law
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Undergrad What happens when circular polarization meets a diagonal polarizer?
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
4K