Suppose you have a polarized light source in your lab that has an intensity of 1

Question

Suppose you have a polarized light source in your lab that has an intensity of 1872 W/m2, where the electric field oscillates in the z direction. The light travels toward a workbench and encounters two polarizing filters.

a) If the light passes first through a filter with its transmission axis at an angle of 45.0° from the z direction, and then through a filter with its transmission axis at an angle of 90.0° from the z direction, what is the final intensity of the transmitted light?

b) If, instead, the light passes first through a filter with its transmission axis at an angle of 90.0° from the z direction, and then through a filter with its transmission axis at an angle of 45.0° from the z direction, what is the final intensity of the transmitted light?

Explanation / Answer

We will Make use of Malus Law here.

I = I0 (Costheta)^2

I0 = 1872 W/m2

a)At 45 degrees the outcoming light will have I0/2 , then followed by another 45 degrees So, it will become I0/4

Final Intensity is I0/4 = 468 W/m2

b)

Intensity after 90 degrees filter is ZERO ( Cos 90 =0) and Continues to be ZERO as there is no light.

Intensity is ZERO

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