2. What is the direction of the electric field of the transmitted light? 3. How,

Question

2. What is the direction of the electric field of the transmitted light?

3. How, if at all, is it different from the direction of the electric field of the incident light?

A beam of light is incident on a polarizer, as shown in the side view diagram below. The direction of polarization of the light makes an angle theta with respect to the polarizer's direction of polarization. The amplitude of the electric field of the incident light is E0. The magnetic field (not shown) has amplitude B0. The vector E represents the electric field of the incident light at the front surface of the polarizer at a particular time. Incident Light Polarizer, Direction of polarization filter. Front view Side view Resolve E into two components: one that is transmitted by the polarizer, and one that is absorbed by the polarizer. 2. What is the direction of the electric field of the transmitted light? 3. How, if at all, is it different from the direction of the electric field of the incident light?

Explanation / Answer

PART 1:

Note that the component transmitted is

E_transmitted = Eo cos (theta)

And the component absorbed is

E_absorbed = Eo sin (theta)

PART 2:

The direction of the E field transmitted is parallel to the direction of polarization, which is upright.

PART 3:

The direction of the electric field of the transmitted light is at an angle theta with respect to the electric field of the incident light.

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