1.Consider light that has passed through one polarizer. Is it dimmer than light

Question

1.Consider light that has passed through one polarizer. Is it dimmer than light that has not passed through the polarizer? Why is this?

2.Look at light that has passed through two polarizers. What relative orientations of these polarizers give you maximum and minimum light transmission?

3.Are these linear or circular polarizers?

4.Consider two polarizers arranged such that minimum light is transmitted through them. Add a third polarizer in between the other two without changing their orientation. Can you adjust this third polarizer to increase the light transmission compared to the case of 2 polarizers?

Explanation / Answer

1. An unpolarized lights vibrates in many different directions. Let's assume it has vibrations in x and y direction with some intensity. Now when we add polarizer and let the light pass through it, it will emerge with half of the original intensity, thus getting dimmer. This polarized light will have vibration in a single plane.

2. When we add two polarizers and let the light pass through them, the transmission will be maximum if both of these are vertically aligned means their axis are parallel. Similarly, the transmission will be minimum if we change the orientation of one polarizer such that it make 90 degree angle with the first polarizer means the axis of second will be perpendicular to the plane of first polarizer.

3. I have considered circular polarizers

4. Now as given in question, the transmission is minimum that means polarizers are aligned in perpendicular manner. To increase the intensity or transmission, we must add a third polarizer in between these two polarizers. The orientation of the third polarizer must be 45 degree. By giving an orientation of 45 degrees, we can increase the light transmission.

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