Question about wire-grid polarizers

[Particle-Wave]

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!

 

[Particle-Wave]

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

 

[mgb_phys]

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.

 

[Particle-Wave]

I think I get it now. Their perpendicular components make it through, while their parallel components are absorbed/reflected.

 

[PJC01]

Hi there, thank you for your question. It's great to see someone interested in petrographic microscopes and polarizers.

You are correct in your understanding that unpolarized light is filtered through a polarizer to get the electric fields to oscillate in the same direction. As for your question about the wire-grid polarizer, it is important to note that the metallic wires are arranged in a specific pattern, with a specific spacing and orientation. This pattern allows only the electric fields that are parallel to the wires to pass through, while blocking or absorbing any other orientations.

This means that waves at a diagonal will not be able to pass through the polarizer because they do not align with the wires. This is due to the interactions between the electric fields and the electrons in the wires, which can only occur when the fields are parallel to the wires.

I hope this helps clarify your question. If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to ask. Keep exploring and learning about polarizers and their applications in microscopy!