- Sections
- A. General Materials & Mathematics
- B. Statics
- C. Kinematics & Dynamics
- D. Rotational Mechanics
- E. Gravitation & Astronomy
- F. Fluid Mechanics
- G. Vibrations & Mechanical Waves
- H. Sound
- I. Thermodynamics
- J. Electrostatics & Magnetostatics
- K. Electromagnetic Principles
- L. Geometrical Optics
- M. Wave Optics
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- O. Vision
- P. Modern Physics
M9-21. Quarter Wave Plate
Purpose
To show properties of a quarter-wave plate.
Equipment
Bright point source with condenser and iris, yellow filter, two polaroids with quarter-wave plate on insertable mount between them.
Setup Time
5 minutes.
Images
Description
Light from a bright point source with condenser and iris passes through a yellow filter and two crossed polaroids onto a distant screen. The quarter-wave plate is then positioned between the two crossed polaroids at any angle except 45 degrees with respect to the crossed polaroids. When the analyzer is rotated periodic minima and maxima of illumination appear on the screen, because the beam is elliptically polarized, and no position of the analyzer will produce darkness. When the polarizer and analyzer are crossed and the quarter-wave plate is set at 45 degrees, rotating the analyzer does not
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See pagesm2. diffraction circular
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See pagesm3. interferometers
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See pagesm4. thin film interference
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See pagesm6. holograms
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See pagesm7. polarization & scattering
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See pagesm8. optical activity & birefringence
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See pagesm9. elliptical polarization
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See pagesm2. diffraction circular
-
See pagesm3. interferometers
-
See pagesm4. thin film interference
-
-
See pagesm6. holograms
-
See pagesm7. polarization & scattering
-
See pagesm8. optical activity & birefringence
-
See pagesm9. elliptical polarization