Week 11-12 polarization

Learning Outcomes:

At the end of this lesson the student will understand that Polarization of light establishes the transverse wave nature of light.

  • There are a lot of sources of polarized light in everyday life around us. Light can be polarized by reflection or scattering.
  • The human eye is generally not sensitive to polarization, but polarization can be used in addition with color and intensity to enhance computer vision and improve image quality.
  • Polarization is used in Cameras, Sun Glasses , Holographic techniques and in materials science to characterize materials.
  •  Analyze using a polarizing film if the incoming light is fully , partially or not polarized.
  • Determine using Malus law the intensity of the transmitted light as a function of the orientation of the two polarizing films.
  • Explain how the polarization is used in reducing glare by sunglasses and other visual display screens.
  • Determine how the thickness of the transparent tape is related to the color of the light transmitted.
  • Apply the knowledge gained from experimentation with transparent tape to create a piece of Polaroid art.

Lesson plan:

Lecture 1: polarization, types, polarizer, states of polarization

Lecture 2: Polarizing sheet, Malus Law

lecture 3: Polarization by reflection

Lecture 4: Double refraction, circular polarization

Lecture 5: Polarization of light by scaterring

Lecture 6: Polarimeter, Holography

Download Files

ch8-polarization.pdf (1.26 MB )