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Polarization 2

The document explains double refraction or birefringence, where a ray of light passing through certain crystals forms two refracted rays: the ordinary ray (O-ray) and the extraordinary ray (E-ray). It details the functioning of Nicol prisms as polarizers and analyzers, the use of retardation plates to alter polarization, and Brewster's law of polarization. Additionally, it distinguishes between positive and negative crystals, defines optical axis and principal section, and describes the planes of vibration and polarization.

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22 views4 pages

Polarization 2

The document explains double refraction or birefringence, where a ray of light passing through certain crystals forms two refracted rays: the ordinary ray (O-ray) and the extraordinary ray (E-ray). It details the functioning of Nicol prisms as polarizers and analyzers, the use of retardation plates to alter polarization, and Brewster's law of polarization. Additionally, it distinguishes between positive and negative crystals, defines optical axis and principal section, and describes the planes of vibration and polarization.

Uploaded by

abhi.aryan021
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Double refraction (or) birefringence:

When a ray of light is refracted by a crystal (e.g. calcite, quartz and mica) it forms two refracted rays
(O-ray and E ray). This phenomenon exhibited by crystals is called double refraction or birefringence.

Ordinary Ray (O-ray) and Extra Ordinary Ray (E-Ray):


The ordinary ray obeys the laws of refraction and its refractive index is constant. Its velocity is the
same in all directions.

The extraordinary ray does not obey the laws of refraction and its refractive index depends on the angle
of incidence, i. The velocity of the extraordinary ray is different in different directions because μ
changes with i.

Working of Nicole Prism as polariser and analyser:


• When two Nicole prisms N1 and N2 are placed adjacent to each other, one of them act as a
polarizer and the other acts as an analyser.
• Let unpolarized light passes through N1 and get polarized, then N1 Nicole prism will be called
polarizer.
• Prism N2 is used to analyse the polarized light. Hence, Nicol prism (N2) is called analyser.
• When optical axis of polarizer and analyser are parallel, only one polarized beam passes through
both prisms.
• The second prism is gradually rotated, the intensity of e-ray decreases in accordance with Malus
law. When two prisms are crossed (90 degree) no light comes of the second crystal.

Retardation Plate:
It is an optical device, which can make a finite optical path difference between the O-ray and E-ray,
while they travel through it in the same direction by the retarding the motion of one of these rays.

Use of half wave plate and quarter wave plate:


These retardation plates are used to alter the polarization state of a light wave travelling through it.
• The half-wave plate, which shifts the polarization direction of linearly polarized light.
(image is not required for exam)

• The quarter-wave plate, which converts linearly polarized light into circularly polarized light
and vice-versa.

(image is not required for exam)

• A quarter-wave plate can be used to produce elliptical polarization as well.

Positive crystal and Negative Crystal


In a positive crystal, refractive index of O-ray is less than E-ray (μ0<μe). E.g. quartz
In a negative crystal, refractive index of O-ray is greater than E-ray (μ0>μe). E.g. calcite.

What is optic axis and principal section in polarizing crystal


Optical axis is an axis of a crystal along which incident light will not experience double refraction or
birefringence, i.e. O-ray and E-ray will not separate when light incident along optical axis.
Principal section of the crystal: A plane containing the optic axis and perpendicular to two opposite
faces of the crystal is called the principal section or principal plane of the crystal.

(image is not required for exam)

Brewster’s law of polarization


Brewster says that when light is incident on a transparent medium at a specific angle, called Brewster’s
angle or angle of polarization(θB), the reflected light will completely polarize and the angle between
reflected and refracted beams will be 90°.

⸫ The tangent of the angle of polarisation is equal to the refractive index (μ) of the medium.
𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃𝐵 = 𝜇
Proof:
From Snell’s law
sin 𝜃𝐵
= 𝜇
sin 𝜃𝑡

From Brewster’s law


𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃𝐵 = 𝜇
From these two equations we can write
sin 𝜃𝐵
= 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃𝐵
sin 𝜃𝑡
sin 𝜃𝐵 sin 𝜃𝐵
𝑜𝑟, =
sin 𝜃𝑡 cos 𝜃𝐵

𝑜𝑟, 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃𝑡 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃𝐵 = sin (90° − 𝜃𝐵 )


𝑜𝑟, 𝜃𝑡 = 90° − 𝜃𝐵
𝑜𝑟, 𝜃𝑡 + 𝜃𝐵 = 90°

Therefore, the angle between reflected ray and refracted ray is 180° - (θt - θB) = 90°. [Proved]

Plane of vibration and plane of polarization


The plane of vibration is the plane containing the direction of the electric field vector's oscillation. The
plane of polarization is the plane containing the direction of propagation and is perpendicular to the
plane of vibration.

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