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Polarization of Light

Problem 5.167

Natural light falls at the Brewster angle on the surface of glass. Using the Fresnel equations, find (a) the reflection coefficient; (b) the degree of polarization of refracted light.

Reveal Answer
5.167. (a) ρ=1/2(n2−1)2/(n2+1)2=0.074\rho=1 / 2\left(n^{2}-1\right)^{2} /\left(n^{2}+1\right)^{2}=0.074 (b) P=ρ/(1−ρ)=(1+n2)2−4n2(1+n2)2+4n2=0.080P=\rho /(1-\rho)=\frac{\left(1+n^{2}\right)^{2}-4 n^{2}}{\left(1+n^{2}\right)^{2}+4 n^{2}}=0.080. Here nn is the refractive index of glass.
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