Polarizing Filters and Polarized Light
As shown in Figure 1, polarizing filters are materials that allow only the passage
of light waves whose electric fields are oscillating in a particular plane.
Figure 1. Initially unpolarized light passing through a polarizing filter becomes
polarized. The polarized light will not be transmitted by a second polarizing
filter turned at 90o to the axis of the first filter.
Unpolarized light passing through a polarizing filter becomes polarized. Polarized
light directed onto a second polarizer, oriented 90o to the first
polarizer, will not be transmitted. Many natural substances, including liquid
crystal materials, have the ability to rotate the plane of the polarized light.
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Brothers University. Last modified July 12, 2006