All Problems

Polarization of Light

Problem 5.170

A narrow beam of natural light falls on the surface of a thick transparent plane-parallel plate at the Brewster angle. As a result, a fraction \(\rho=0.080\) of luminous flux is reflected from its top surface. Find the degree of polarization of beams \(1-4\) (Fig. 5.31\()\)

Reveal Answer
P1=P3=1,P2=ρ1ρ=0.087,P4=2ρ(1ρ)12ρ(1ρ)=0.17P_{1}=P_{3}=1, \quad P_{2}=\frac{\rho}{1-\rho}=0.087, \quad P_{4}=\frac{2 \rho(1-\rho)}{1-2 \rho(1-\rho)}=0.17