Answer to Question #164095 in Optics for Haddensen

Question

Describe a method by which a plane-polarized beam of light can be distinguished from a partially plane-polarized beam. 

Answer 1

To differentiate between a plane polarized beam of light and a partially plane-polarized beam of light, the following method is used:

Firstly, the given beam of light is passed through a material that gives out a high level of plane polarization of light passing through it which is also called a polaroid.

If the intensity of light progresses from maximum to zero minimum twice in a single rotation on the event of rotation of the polaroid along the direction of propagation of light, then the light is said to be plane polarized while if the beam of light indicates a change in intensity but without any zero minimum on it when the polaroid is rotated along the direction of propagation of the beam of light, then the given light is partially polarized.