When polarization is explained on the level of gemmology students, we usually illustrate it with what is named a "wire-grid polarizer".
In the image the wires in the polarizer are orientated vertically and the polarized wave vibrates in the north-south direction.
Question: Is there anything wrong with this picture and if so, what?
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Joined: Fri May 12, 2006 11:24 am Posts: 7523 Location: Rome, Italy
what i see in this image is: a wave vibrating only on a plane so it has been filtered by a vertical grid (like the one in the picture) before entering in the image, then the wave passes through the grid.
I don't see a problem with the picture then. Wire grid, picket fence and a linearly polarized light wave vibrating in a direction parallel to the grid orientation.
Post subject: I'm studying....but don't wait on me...
Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2007 1:29 pm
Gemology Online Veteran
Joined: Sun Oct 07, 2007 2:04 pm Posts: 623 Location: Southern OK/North TX
Doos,
I'm carefully studying this but have no answer so don't wait on me to post the answer. This is something I'm still having a little trouble grasping. I'm looking forward to more information from you....
Joined: Sun Oct 07, 2007 2:04 pm Posts: 623 Location: Southern OK/North TX
Here's one thing that confuses me about this whole concept. In the Gemology Project info on polarizing filter, it states the following:
"When you place a polarization filter in North-South (N-S) position, only waves vibrating in the E-W direction (or plane) are able to pass through the filter. As you rotate the filter to other positions, other orientations will pass through. This is what we call "plane polarized light", it only vibrates in one plane...."
Doos, I read in your post that you indicate the light is vibrating N/S but here it states that wouldn't go through. AM I CONFUSING 2 THINGS HERE?
Until now, light waves and their actions are something I've never had an opportunity to learn so am having to beat this into my old brain...
Joined: Sun Oct 07, 2007 2:04 pm Posts: 623 Location: Southern OK/North TX
Doos - THANKS!
Then, if I'm reading and UNDERSTANDING this right, the beam will not pass thru the grid. Instead, due to the orientation of the wires and the beam going the same direction, the energy of the wave will cause the electrons in the wire to begin vibrating and therefore absorbing the energy. This basically destroys the wave. If the beam were traveling E/W, it WOULD continue as shown.
Thus my answer is ERROR as the beam should NOT continue THRU the grid.
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