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Polarization Angle

The document outlines an experiment to determine the polarization angle (Brewster's angle) of laser light using a polarizer and analyzer. It describes the principle that unpolarized light becomes polarized when passing through a polarizer, and the intensity of transmitted light varies with the angle between the polarizer and analyzer. The experiment concludes that Brewster's angle is approximately 56°, where the transmitted light intensity is at its minimum, indicating maximum polarization.

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Tharun Tharun
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34 views2 pages

Polarization Angle

The document outlines an experiment to determine the polarization angle (Brewster's angle) of laser light using a polarizer and analyzer. It describes the principle that unpolarized light becomes polarized when passing through a polarizer, and the intensity of transmitted light varies with the angle between the polarizer and analyzer. The experiment concludes that Brewster's angle is approximately 56°, where the transmitted light intensity is at its minimum, indicating maximum polarization.

Uploaded by

Tharun Tharun
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Determining the Polariza on Angle of Laser Light

Aim: To determinethe polariza on angle (also known as Brewster's angle) of a laser light beam using
a polarizer and analyzer.

Principle: When unpolarized light passes through a polarizing filter (polarizer), it becomes polarized.
The intensity of this polarized light, when passed through a second polarizing filter (analyzer),
depends on the angle θ between the polarizer and analyzer. As θ approaches Brewster’s angle, the
transmi ed light intensity reaches a minimum, indica ng maximum polariza on.
It can be verified by:
For a given angle Brewster’s angle, light is polarized such that reflected and refracted beam are
perpendicular. Brewster’s angle can be determined from the rela on 𝜃 = 𝑡𝑎𝑛 ( )

where n1 and n2 are the refrac ve indices of the two media (for air and glass, respec vely, if
applicable).

Procedure:
1. Direct the laser beam through the polarizer and analyzer, aligned in series. Ensure that the
polarizer is fixed and the analyzer can be rotated.
2. Start with the polarizer and analyzer aligned at 0°, where they are parallel.
3. Measure and record the intensity of the transmi ed light using either a photodetector or visual
observa on.
4. Slowly rotate the analyzer in small increments (e.g., 10°).
5. At each angle, record the intensity of the transmi ed light.
Observe the recorded intensi es to find the angle where the transmi ed light intensity is at a
minimum. This angle is approximately Brewster’s angle.
Observa on:

Analyzer angle (𝜽) Transmi ed Intensity (I)


0 100 units
10 90 units
20 80 units
30 65 units
40 50 units
50 30 units
56 (minimum) 5 units
60 20 units
70 40 units

𝑛2
𝜃 = 𝑡𝑎𝑛 ( )
𝑛1
.
𝜃 = 𝑡𝑎𝑛 ( )

𝜃 = 56.309 𝑑𝑒𝑔𝑟𝑒𝑒
Result:
The Brewster’s angle, based on the experimental data, is determined to be
approximately 56°. This is the angle where the transmi ed light intensity is at its
minimum, indica ng the point of maximum polariza on

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