Lab 1: Measuring and Modifying Laser Polarization

INTRODUCTION
In this lab, we are measuring and modifying laser polarization using crossed polarizers. For the
optional extension, we are attempting to build a middle-class-person’s isolator using a polarizing
beamsplitter (PBS) and a quarter-wave plate (QWP).
PROCEDURE AND RESULTS
The experiment required that we use a polarizer with a known axis to determine the polarization
orientation of light transmitting through the polarizing beamsplitter (PBS). Then, a rotatable
polarizer is installed downstream, and the power is measured using a photodiode and a DMM to
determine the fraction of light versus angle. The transmission through the second polarizer is
plotted as a function of angle and divided by the highest voltage observed. This second plot is
used to verify Malus's Law. Waveplates are then installed between crossed polarizers, including
a half-wave plate (HWP) and quarter-wave plate (QWP), and their effect on the transmission is
recorded as a function of angle. The polarization angle is plotted against the HWP angle, and the
transmission is recorded as a function of QWP angle.
In our experiment, we began by measuring the voltage through a single polarizer. The maximum
voltage we obtained was 1.6V +/-0.1 at an angle of about 294 degrees. We then installed a
second polarizer and recorded the change of voltage as we varied the angle of the second
polarizer. The results are presented in the table below. Despite our efforts, we never achieved
100% transmission due to unavoidable reflection by the second polarizer.
When using the PBS and polarizer, we encountered trouble determining the maximum
amplitude, as it kept fluctuating up and down by up to 200 or 300 mV. This lack of precision was
unsatisfactory, and we aimed to obtain better numbers. The largest transmission we obtained was
about 1.54 volts, which was lower than what 100% transmission would be. Finally, we note that
the beam splitter allowed horizontally polarized light through to the rest of the cavity, while the
portion that was split and not used was polarized vertically.
The table below summarizes the change in voltage as we varied the angle of polarizer two:
Voltage (+/- .05 V) Angle (Degrees, +/- 0.5)
1.5V 0
0.93V 30
0.99V 60
1.54 90
0.99 120
1.03 150
1.55 180
0.97 210
1.04 240
1.58 270
0.98 300
 1.02 330
1.52 360
TABLE 1. Change of V_in as we vary the angle of polarizer two
Next, we introduced two polarizers and took a graph that gave us two maximums, which is what
we expected. We then added a half wavelength plate in between the two polarizers to create a
variable beamsplitter. Turning the waveplate changed the percent of transmission through the
beam splitter. When we moved the slow axis to 0, 45, and 90 degrees, we found that at 45
degrees, it facilitated circular polarization because the quarter wavelength plate (QWP) was able
to rotate the polarization state of the light by 90 degrees. We used Mulas Law to plot the graph of
the QWP and found that every 90 degrees, there was a maximum. Maximums at 0 and 180

degrees had the same amplitude, but at 90 and 270 degrees, they were slightly less.
FIG. 1. Two Polarizers
 FIG. 2. Two Polarizers and a Half Wavelength Plate

FIG. 3. Two Polarizers and a Quarter Wavelength Plate

FIG. 4. Malus's Law

Finally, we finished by putting the quarter wavelength plate and taking our data. We found that
the QWP was used by finding where it had a maximum, noting it, and using it to test the rest of
the circular angles. We confirmed that we did this right because when set to 0 for a maximum,
we varied the polarizer angle downstream, and it had no significant changes in its amplitude
when this angle was varied.
OPTIONAL EXTENSION
The middle-class-person's isolator involves reflecting light in the PBS and installing a QWP and
retroreflecting mirror. The mirror is used to test the isolator's effectiveness by sending the light
backward. The light does not head back toward the laser cavity because it is circularly polarized
and cannot be reflected by the PBS. This method functions as an isolator by preventing light
from reflecting back and harming the laser. That is, from the experiment, it was clear that the
vertical light goes into the QWP and becomes circular. The circular light then bounces off the
mirror and goes back into the QWP. Once passing through the QWP it becomes horizontal light
so it passes through the PBS instead of going back into the laser.

PRELAB QUESTIONS
1. a) A laser beam is polarized in the vertical direction. A polarizer P1 is placed in the beam with
its axis horizontal. What percent of light transmits if this is a perfect polarizer? b) Suppose that a
second polarizer P2 is inserted between P1 and the laser, and its axis is at 45◦ to the vertical.
Now, what is the percent transmission through P1? c) What about this strikes you as strange?
Can inserting a polarizer (which blocks one component of polarization) increase the power at the
output of the system?
a) Since the laser beam is polarized in the vertical direction and the polarizer P1 has its axis
horizontal, it will block all of the light. Therefore, the transmission is 0%. Explanation When a
laser beam is polarized vertically and a horizontal polarizer is placed in the beam, it will block all
of the light, resulting in a transmission of 0%. b) When the second polarizer P2 is inserted at a
45° angle to the vertical between P1 and the laser, it will transmit half of the light that passes
through P1. This is because P2 will block half of the light that is polarized in the horizontal
direction, but allow the other half that is polarized at 45 to pass through.
EXPLANATION
If a second polarizer is inserted at a 45• angle between the first polarizer and the laser, it will
transmit half of the light that passes through the first polarizer. This is because the second
polarizer only blocks one component of the polarized light. c) It is strange that inserting a
polarizer can increase the power at the output of the system because the usual function of a
polarizer is to block light rather than allow it to pass through. However, in this case, the second
polarizer is oriented in such a way that it only blocks one component of the polarized light,
allowing the other component to pass through and increase the overall transmission.
EXPLANATION
It is strange that inserting a polarizer can increase the power at the output of the system, but this
occurs when the second polarizer only blocks one component of the polarized light.
2. For a laser beam with right-handed circular polarization, what is the magnetic field direction?
Describe what a stationary observer with a sensitive vector magnetometer would measure as a
function of time. For a laser beam with right-handed circular polarization, the magnetic field
direction rotates in a clockwise direction as viewed by an observer looking in the direction of the
beam. A stationary observer with a sensitive vector magnetometer would measure a sinusoidal
oscillation of the magnetic field strength, with the maximum amplitude occurring when the
magnetic field is oriented along the axis of the magnetometer.
EXPLANATION
It is strange that inserting a polarizer can increase the power at the output of the system, but this
occurs when the second polarizer only blocks one component of the polarized light.
3. Suppose you place an unknown waveplate in between crossed polarizers, with its birefringent
axis at 45◦ relative to each of the crossed polarizers. You find that the transmission through the
final wave plate is now very nearly half the total power that transmits through the first polarizer.
What kind of wave plate is this? If the transmission through the final wave plate is very nearly
half the total power that transmits through the first polarizer, then the wave plate is most likely a
half-wave plate. This is because a half-wave plate can rotate the polarization of light by 90°, so
that the polarized light that is blocked by the second polarizer in part b) is now oriented at 45°
and can pass through.
EXPLANATION
If the transmission through a waveplate that is placed between crossed polarizers and oriented at
45• is very nearly half the total power that transmits through the first polarizer, then the wave
plate is most likely a half-wave plate, which can rotate the polarization of light by 90•.