Light Polarization

Experiment 3

We will demonstrate some techniques for he polarization of light

Rukia Abd El Hakem 167

Law of Malus
Dichroic polarizers polarize light by selectively absorbing energy from the incoming light.
Energy is absorbed from an electromagnetic wave most efficiently if the electric field in the wave
is oscillating perpendicular to the polarization axis.

The Law of Malus states that the intensity of light transmitted through two polarizers is
proportional to the square of the cosine of the angle between the polarization axes of the
polarizers,

I = Io cos2

It is easy to derive. If the electric field passing through the first polarizer has an amplitude of Eo,
then the light passing through the second polarizer has an amplitude of Eocos where  is the
angle between the polarization axes of the polarizers. This Eocos is simply the component of the
maximum field that makes it through the second polarizer. Since the intensity of light is
proportional to the square of the electric field amplitude, Malus’ Law follows.
Polarized Light 3
Polarized Light 4
 Polarized Light 5

Rotating the Polarization

This phenomenon also can be understood by using the vector nature of polarization and the Law
of Malus. Examine Figure 2. The first and last polarizers have their polarization axes crossed.
The angle between the polarization axes of the first and middle polarizer is . The angle between
the polarization axes of the middle and last polarizer is . Note that  = 90-.

Io

 Io cos2

 Io cos2 cos2

Fig. 2: Law of Malus with Three Polarizers

According to the Law of Malus, the intensity of the light passing through the middle polarizer is
Io cos2 . Applying the law again gives the final transmitted intensity as Io cos2 cos2. Since  =
90- and cos(90-) is equal to sin, we expect this transmitted intensity to be

I = Io cos2 sin2

In essence, the middle polarizer is rotating the polarization axes of the light that comes through
the first polarizer so that a component of the rotated electric field is now passed by the final
polarizer.
 Polarized Light 6

Polarization by Reflection
When unpolarized light reflects off a surface, the reflected light will become partially linearly
polarized. The degree to which it becomes linearly polarized depends on the reflector material
and the angle of incidence. At one angle of incidence, called the polarization angle or the
Brewster angle (B), the reflected light is completely linear polarized. For light traveling in air
that then reflects off glass with refractive index n, the Brewster angle is given by

tan(B) = n

ni sinƟ B = nt sinƟ t

But Ɵt + Ɵ B = 90, so Ɵt = 90 – Ɵ B

ni sinƟ B = nt sin(90 – Ɵ B) = nt cosƟ B

sin ƟB n
= tanƟ B = t
cos Ɵ B ni

n
Ɵ B = tan−1( t )
ni
 Polarized Light 7

We can also derive the Brewster Angle from Fresnel equations, the reflection coefficient  (TM
radiation) will equal zero when the indices of refraction are equal, so n1= n2  or

(1)

(2)

Solving for   in Snell's law

(3)

(4)

Adding (2) and (4) yields

  (5)

(6)

(7)

(8)
 Polarized Light 8

Questions:
a) There are several ways to create circularly polarized light, the most common involves
placing a quarter-wave plate after a linear polarizer and directing unpolarized light through
the linear polarizer. The linearly polarized light leaving the linear polarizer is transformed
into circularly polarized light by the quarter wave plate.
b) All radio transmitting and receiving antennas are polarized, most antennas radiate either
horizontal, vertical, or circular polarization. The electric field or E-plane determines the
polarization or orientation of the radio wave. Vertical polarization is most often used when
it is desired to radiate a radio signal in all directions such as widely distributed mobile
units. AM and FM radio use vertical polarization, while television uses horizontal
polarization. Alternating vertical and horizontal polarization is used on satellite
communications (including television satellites).
Polarization is important in wireless communications systems. The physical orientation of
a wireless antenna corresponds to the polarization of the radio waves received or
transmitted by that antenna. Thus, a vertical antenna receives and emits vertically polarized
waves, and a horizontal antenna receives or emits horizontally polarized waves. The best
short-range communications is obtained when the transmitting and receiving (source and
destination) antennas have the same polarization. 
c) Natural (random polarized) light can be represented by components of polarization
parallel and perpendicular to the plane of incidence.

At Brewster angle, the reflected light is completely polarized perpendicular to the plane of
incidence. The transmitted ray contains all of the parallel component and about 85% of the
perpendicular component.