How can I compute the intensity of a polarized wave going through a Polaroid?
1 Answer
You could use Malus' Law.
Malus' Law tells us that if you have a polarized wave (of intensity
Or:
Sounds difficult but look at the picture:
Knowing the angle
Special case :
When you have unpolarized light falling upon the polarizer the transmitted intensity will be
(to understand this, look at the mathematical explanation that follows and remember that the average value of
As a mathematical explanation you have:
If
The electric field vector
The analyzer will transmit only the component ( i.e
But intensity is proportional to the square of the electric vector you have:
and finally: