Unpolarized light is incident on a series of polarizing disks. We have three polarizers A, B and C have transmission axes that make angles of 30, 90 and 180 degrees, respectively, measured CW from the vertical y-axis. You want to maximize the relative transmission and can place them in any order. What is the maximum possible relative transmission (is. Final/I0) passing through a series of all three polarizers

Question

Laila Newman

Physics

9 May, 00:50

Unpolarized light is incident on a series of polarizing disks. We have three polarizers A, B and C have transmission axes that make angles of 30, 90 and 180 degrees, respectively, measured CW from the vertical y-axis. You want to maximize the relative transmission and can place them in any order. What is the maximum possible relative transmission (is. Final/I0) passing through a series of all three polarizers

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Answers (1)

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Abby King · Answer 1

Formula for intensity of light after transmission for unpolarised light is

I₀ / 2, We shall take up 180 degree disk first.

For second transmission, the formula is

I = I₀ Cos²θ, θ is angle between axis of polarizer and axis of vibration.

If we take up 30 degree polariser

I = I₀ / 2 Cos² (180 - 30)

=.375 I₀

For third transmission

I_ final =.375 I₀ x cos (90 - 30)

=.1875 I₀

Final/I₀ =.1875