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Optical Phenomena


Problems on Polarization

Problem : A polaroid sheet and an analyzer are placed such that their transmission axes are co-linear. The analyzer is then rotated by 22.5 o . What is the irradiance of the transmitted light as a fraction of its previous value?


Problem : You have three ideal linear polarizers. Light of irradiance 1000 W/m 2 is shone through two of the polarizers, with their transmission axes placed at a relative angle of 40 o . What is the intensity of the transmitted light? Now place the third polarizer at an angle of 20 o between the other two. What is the irradiance?


Problem : What is Brewster's angle for reflection from air off a glass ( n = 1.52 ) surface?


Problem : Consider the following waves:


E x   = E xcos(kz - σt)  
E y   = E ysin(kz - σt + 2Π)  

If these waves overlap at a particular point, what is the polarization of the resulting wave (assume E x = E y )?


Problem : Write the equation for the linearly polarized light wave of angular frequency σ and amplitude E 0 propagating along the x-axis with its plane of vibration at 30 o to the xy -plane (assume that E = 0 when x = 0 and t = 0 ).