⋯EE Unpolarized light is incident with intensity I0 on a...

$\cdots$ EE Unpolarized light is incident with intensity $I_{0}$ on a polarizer whose transmission axis is vertical, as in Figure $25-26 .$ It then falls on an analyzer whose transmission axis is at an angle $\theta$ to the vertical. Which of the graphs in FIGURE $25-44$ depicts the transmitted intensity as $\theta$ is changed from $0^{\circ}$ to $360^{\circ} ?$

$\cdots$ EE Unpolarized light is incident with intensity $I_{0}$ on a polarizer
whose transmission axis is vertical, as in Figure $25-26 .$ It then falls
on an analyzer whose transmission axis is at an angle $\theta$ to the vertical. Which of the graphs in FIGURE $25-44$ depicts the transmitted
intensity as $\theta$ is changed from $0^{\circ}$ to $360^{\circ} ?$

Key Concepts

Malus's Law

Malus's Law quantifies the reduction in intensity of polarized light when it passes through a second polarizer (analyzer) with an orientation that makes an angle ? with the polarization direction of the incident light. The transmitted intensity is given by I = I?cos²?, where I? is the intensity of the polarized light entering the analyzer.

Angular Dependency of Intensity

Due to the cos²? dependence outlined in Malus's Law, the transmitted intensity varies predictably as the angle between the polarizer and analyzer changes. This variation is periodic with ?, displaying maxima when the axes are aligned (? = 0° or 180°) and minima when they are perpendicular (? = 90° or 270°), which is crucial for interpreting graphical representations of the intensity as a function of angle.

Unpolarized Light

Unpolarized light is composed of waves vibrating in multiple, random directions perpendicular to the direction of propagation. When such light encounters a polarizer, only the component of the light with its electric field oscillating along the polarizer's transmission axis is passed, effectively converting it into linearly polarized light.

Polarization and Polarizers

Polarizers are optical devices that filter light waves such that only light oscillating in a specific direction—the transmission axis—is allowed through. This process of polarization ensures that subsequent interactions with another polarizing element, such as an analyzer, are highly dependent on the relative orientation of their transmission axes.

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