All Problems

Polarization of Light

Problem 5.177

A narrow beam of natural light with wavelength λ=\lambda= =589=589 nm falls normally on the surface of a Wollaston polarizing prism made of Iceland spar as shown in Fig. 5.32. The optical axes of the two parts of the prism are mutually perpendicular. Find the angle δ\delta between the directions of the beams behind the prism if the angle θ\theta is equal to 3030^{\circ}.

Reveal Answer
δ11\delta \approx 11^{\circ}