Problem 2 consists of a and b 2a) What would happen to the interference pattern

Question

Problem 2 consists of a and b

2a) What would happen to the interference pattern produced from a twin-slit apparatus if the light from one slit is passed through a verticaly polarizing sheet and the light though other slit is passed through a horizontally polarizing sheet?

A) The interference pattern will look like a normal double slit pattern

B) The interference pattern will be fainter than a normal double slit pattern

C) The interference pattern will be more diffuse than a normal double slit pattern

D) There will be no interference pattern

2b) Two ideal polarizing sheets are stacked so that none of the incident unpolarized light is transmitted . A third polarizing sheet is slipped between the first two sheets at and angle of 45 degrees to the bottom sheet. The fraction of light transmitted through the entire stack is

A) 0

B) 1/8

C) 1/4

D) 1/2

Explanation / Answer

2a] When two linear polarizers are placed on the two slits such that they are mutually perpendicular, then the interference pattern will be lost. Consequently, one can retrieve the interference pattern if another polarizer is kept at angle of 45 degrees with respect to both the polarizers between the slits and the screen.

2b] Use Malus' law

Since the light will pass through 2 more polarizers after the first one, the transmitted light will be:

I'' = I' [cos2[45o]]2 = I'/4

but the first polarizer will reduce the intensity by half since the incident light is unpolarized.

I' = Io/2

therefore, I'' = Io/8

hence the fraction of light which will pass will be 1/8.

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