Polarization


Malus' law

  • 1 optical rail
  • 2 post holders
  • Lamp (w/ LED bulb)
  • Polarizer on a post
  • Light intensity sensor on a post
  • Stick-on polarizer sheet (w/ magnet)
  • Adjustable +/-24 V power supply
  • 2 multimeters
  • 2 BNC to double-banana cables
  • 2 patch cords (1 red, 1 black)

NOTE: Make sure to test light sensors to make sure the batteries are not dead. Input bias should be set to -12 V (the maximal negative voltage) and the output should vary over the range of at about 0-100 mV as polarizer is varied. Alignment is critical (check height and angle of light sensor), and try to block out extraneous light from the lamp.

Brewster's angle

  • Analog optical spectrometer
  • Glass slide with black tape in post holder
  • Polarizer cap
  • Lamp (w/ LED bulb)
  • USB webcam in mount
  • Dark cloth (not really needed, but nice to have)

Retardation of phase

  • Lamp (w/ LED bulb)
  • Either…
    • Ring stand w/ 4 elements (green filter, polarizer, quarter waveplate, and another polarizer); or
    • Homemade/handheld polarization device w/ hanger attachments (quarter waveplate and green filter)
  • Objects to play with:
    • Calcite crystal
    • Bendable rubber material
    • Acrylic disk in clamp
    • Acrylic block with slit
    • Bottles of sugar solution
      • Glucose
      • Fructose
      • Corn syrup

Common area

  • Spare parts:
    • 2-3 multimeters
    • 1-2 spare light sensors (with working batteries)
    • A couple 9 V batteries
    • +/-24 V power supply
    • USB webcam with mount
    • Glass slides w/ black tape