All Problems

Polarization of Light

Problem 5.180

A quartz plate cut parallel to the optical axis is placed between two crossed Nicol prisms. The angle between the principal directions of the Nicol prisms and the plate is equal to \(45^{\circ} .\) The thickness of the plate is \(d=0.50 \mathrm{~mm} .\) At what wavelengths in the interval from 0.50 to \(0.60 \mu \mathrm{m}\) is the intensity of light which passed through that system independent of rotation of the rear prism? The difference of refractive indices for ordinary and extraordinary rays in that wavelength interval is assumed to be \(\Delta n=0.0090\).

Reveal Answer
5.180. \(\lambda=4 d \Delta n /(2 k+1) ; 0.58,0.55\) and \(0.51 \mu \mathrm{m}\) respectively at \(k=15,16\) and 17 .