Polarization Raju
Polarization Raju
Polarization Raju
Reduce Reflections
EM Waves
Light is an electromagnetic wave. EM waves are
transverse. Thus, the electrical field can vibrate in any
direction perpendicular to the direction of propagation.
Most light sources (candles, incandescent light bulbs etc..)
emit light that is unpolarized – the electric field has all
possible directions of vibrations.
However it is possible to have polarized light.
Polarized light occurs when the vibrations of the
electrical field are confined to one plane.
Introduction
Transforming unpolarized light into polarized
light
Restriction of the
electric field
vectors of a light
in a particular
plane at a distinct
point of time.
Polarization of Electromagnetic Waves
Any electromagnetic wave consists
of an electric field component and a
magnetic field component.
http://www.colorado.edu/physics/2000/index.pl
Explanation of Polarization at the Molecular
Level
An electric field E perpendicular to
the long molecules does not have
this possibility of doing work and
transferring its energy, and so
passes through freely.
Direction of oscillation
Direction of
travel
of wave
CIRCULAR POLARIZATION
Dichroism
Reflection
Scattering
Birefringence
Production of polarized light
All four mechanisms have one factor in common.
Incident Reflected
ray ray
p p
o
n1
90
n2
r
Polarizing angle (Brewster’s angle)
The angle of incidence at which the reflected
light is completely plane-polarized is called
the polarizing angle (or Brewster’s angle).
Then we get n2
tan p
n1
Scattering
The basis of reflection, refraction and
diffraction.
A plane polarised light is always polarised
in the same plane after being scattered by
a molecule in any direction.
Polarization by Scattering
When light(such as that from the sun) shines on
particles, they can absorb and then reradiate part
of the light.
The absorption and reradiation of light is called
scattering.
Unpolarized light will be partially plane polarized
after scattering from small particles of dust etc
The scattered light will be completely plane
polarized if scattered light is 90o from incident
light.
Polarization by Refraction
When an incident
unpolarized ray enters some
crystals it will be split into
two rays called ordinary and
extraordinary rays, which
are plane-polarized in
directions at right angles to
each other.
Double Refraction
When light is refracted into two rays each polarized with
the vibration directions oriented at right angles to one
another, and traveling at different velocities. This
phenomenon is termed "double" or "bi" refraction.
Birefringence
A material which displays two different speeds of
propagation in fixed and orthogonal directions
and therefore displays two refractive indices
Optical anisotropy
In some crystals the forces binding an electron
to the atomic nuclei is stronger in one direction
than another.
When an electromagnetic wave act upon them
the electrons set into vibration in one plane and
hence emit the wave with same energy and
frequency in that plane at the end.
But in another plane the wave will
be damped gradually and energy
is dessipated as heat.
Crystal no ne
calcite 1.6584 1.4864
Ice 1.309 1.313
Quartz 1.5443 1.5534
Tourmaline 1.669 1.638
Dichroism
Dichroism is selective absorption of the two orthogonal
p-states in incident natural light.
It is physically anisotropic.
Have long chain of molecules that are aligned within the filter in a
particular direction
Dividing 2 by 1
We get I θ = I cos2 θ
I θ = 0.
Detection of p-state light
1. Take two plano polarizing lenses and by holding one
before the other with their polarizing axes crossed at 90
degrees, eliminate all incoming visible light rays. What
one polarizing lens doesn’t extinguish, the other will.
2. Use a pair of glasses with
polaraizing lenses to view glossy
magazine. With the glossy
magazine in between you and
the light, the magazine will show
reflective glare. Move around
until glare is maximal. Now rotate
the lenses until the glossiness
decreases and totally disappear.
Applications of Polarizations (1)
Polaroid sunglasses
The glare from reflecting surfaces can be diminished
with the use of Polaroid sunglasses.
The polarization axes of the lens are vertical, as most
glare reflects from horizontal surfaces.
Applications of Polarization (2)
Stress Analysis
Fringes may be seen in the parts of a transparent
block under stress, viewing through the analyser.
The pattern of the fringes varies with the stress.
Applications of Polarization (3)
Liquid Crystal Display (LCD)
Applications of Polarization (4)
VHF and UHF antennas (aerial)
Radio waves can be detected either through their E-
field or their B-field.
Stations transmitted radio waves which are plane-
polarized.
Blue Sky
In 3D films
Two films shown at a time through two projectors
Projected through polarizing filters with axes perpendicular to each other
Viewers wear glasses with 2 polaroid filters with axes perpendicular
RE sees the movie projected from left
LE sees the movie projected from Right
Other uses
Insaccharimetry: measurement of
concentration of sugar solution