Imagine that you have two identical perfect linear polarizers, and a source of natural light. Place them one behind the other and position their transmission axes at 0° and 55° w.r.t. the positive x-axis, respectively.

Now insert between them a third linear polarizer with its transmission axis at 21° w.r.t. the positive x-axis.

Illuminate the train of polarizers with a beam irradiance of 500 W/m2.  The beam illuminates the 0° polarizer first.

What irradiance emerges when the middle polarizer is in place? W/m2

What is the emerging polarization?
Vertical
Horizontal
55° w.r.t. the positive x-axis
21° w.r.t. the positive x-axis
The emerging irradiance is zero - there is no polarization.

Now remove the middle polarizer. What irradiance emerges? W/m2

What is the emerging polarization?
Vertical
Horizontal
55° w.r.t. the positive x-axis
21° w.r.t. the positive x-axis
The emerging irradiance is zero - there is no polarization.


Guest Account.