A half-wave plate has a phase retardation of G = p. Assume that the plane is ori

Question

A half-wave plate has a phase retardation of G = p. Assume that the plane is oriented so that the azimuth angle (i.e., the angle between the x-axis and the slow axis of the plate) is y. (a) Find the polarization state of the transmitted beam, assuming that the incident beam is linearly polarized in the y direction. (b) Show that a half-wave plate will convert right-hand circularly polarized light into left-hand circularly polarized light, and vice-versa, regardless of the azimuth angle of the plate. (c) E7 is a nematic liquid crystal with no = 1.52 and ne = 1.75 at l = 577 nm. Find the half-wave-plate thickness at this wavelength, assuming that the plate is made in such a way that the surfaces are parallel to the directors (i.e. a plate).

Explanation / Answer

A polarizer is an optical filter that passes light of a specific polarization and blocks waves of other polarizations. It can convert a beam of light of undefined or mixed polarization into a beam with well-defined polarization. The common types of polarizers are linear polarizers and circular polarizers. Polarizers are used in many optical techniques and instruments, and polarizing filters find applications in photography and liquid crystal display technology. Polarizers can also be made for other types of electromagnetic waves besides light, such as radio waves, microwaves, and X-rays

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