OPT-010 · Wave optics Sample material

Elliptical polarization and artificial anisotropy

Production and analysis of elliptically and circularly polarized light, λ/4 and λ/2 plates, interference of polarized light, photoelasticity, the Kerr effect, rotation of the plane of polarization and the saccharimeter.

Estimated time: 2 h 10 min 4 activities

Learning objective

Understand how elliptical and circular polarization arise from the addition of perpendicular oscillations.
Calculate the action of quarter- and half-wave plates and study methods of determining the polarization state.
Study artificial anisotropy produced by mechanical stress and electric fields (photoelasticity, the Kerr and Pockels effects).
Master optical activity, Biot's laws, Fresnel's explanation and the operation of the saccharimeter.

Expected outcomes

Calculates the phase difference in a crystal plate and the thickness of λ/4 and λ/2 plates.
Distinguishes natural, circular and elliptical light using an analyser and a λ/4 plate.
Calculates the phase difference and the half-wave voltage for the photoelastic and Kerr effects.
Finds the concentration of a solution from a saccharimeter reading.

Interactive modelElliptical polarization: wave plates

Activities

Lecture
Lecture · 55 min · required
The path of light through polarizers. λ/2 and λ/4 plates. Rotation of the planes of polarization.
Practice · 55 min · required
Birefringence of light in electric and magnetic fields
Self-study · 4 h 25 min · optional
Final test
Test · 20 min · required · pass ≥ 70%

Completion conditions

  • Lecture
  • The path of light through polarizers. λ/2 and λ/4 plates. Rotation of the planes of polarization.
  • Final test — at least 70%