Question about wire-grid polarizers

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the behavior of light waves when interacting with wire-grid polarizers, specifically focusing on how unpolarized light is filtered and the implications for light waves at various angles, including diagonal orientations. The context includes conceptual understanding and technical reasoning related to optics.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes the function of a wire-grid polarizer, noting that unpolarized light is filtered so that electric fields oscillate in the same direction, with waves parallel to the wire being absorbed or reflected.
  • Another participant explains that diagonal waves can be resolved into horizontal and vertical components, suggesting that a 45-degree diagonal wave consists of equal parts horizontal and vertical components.
  • A later reply indicates understanding that the perpendicular components of diagonal waves can pass through the polarizer, while the parallel components are absorbed or reflected.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants appear to agree on the basic principles of how wire-grid polarizers function, but there is some uncertainty regarding the behavior of diagonal waves and how they interact with the polarizer.

Contextual Notes

The discussion does not fully resolve the implications of diagonal wave interactions with the polarizer, leaving some assumptions about the behavior of light at various angles unexamined.

Particle-Wave
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Hi, I'm new to this forum, and am not a genius in any way, so I hope you'll be patient with me.

I've been reading up on petrographic microscopes and understand that unpolarized light is filtered through a polarizer in order to get the EM wave electric fields to oscillate in the same direction. As the unpolarized light hits the wire-grid polarizer, those waves that are parallel with the metallic wire in the polarizer will be absorbed/reflected due to the electric fields interactions with the electrons in the wire. Those EM wave electric fields which are perpendicular to the direction of the wire-grid polarizer will be able to pass through it. My question is: What about those waves that are at a diagonal? Will they be able to pass through or not, and why? Every diagram that I have seen shows that ONLY the waves that are perpendicular to the direction of the wire-grid polarizer will pass through, and any deviation will result in those waves being absorbed/reflected.

If anyone can help me with this, it would be greatly appreciated!
 

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Please let me know if I'm even making sense!

:redface:
 
The diagonal waves are just made up of vertical and horizontal (or rather can be resolved into H+V)
A 45deg diagonal is equal H and V and so on.
 
I think I get it now. Their perpendicular components make it through, while their parallel components are absorbed/reflected.
 
Last edited:

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