Polarization is an important concept of electromagnetism, and polarizers were traditionally applied to demonstrate this concept in a laboratory. We set up a optical system with the optical component “axis finder” to visualize the polarization direction immediately. The light phenomena, such as birefringence, circular polarization, and Brewster’s angle, can be examined polarization visually. In addition, the principle of different waveplate and optical axis can be presented in a straightforward approach. By means of image analysis, the great precision of polarizing direction can be measured up to 0.01 degree.

Modulated polarized light is applied to a few optical devices, like Liquid-crystal display. It is marvelous to trace the light polarization between the backlight module, polarizer, and panel. As seeing is believing, the visualized electrical field allows educators to teach polarization in a smooth and strikingly manifest manner. Without any polarizer and analyzer, we examine the rotary power of different concentration syrup, presenting the relationship with polarization change. We also demonstrate the wide application of polarization light in modern life, and examine the principle through this visualized electrical field system.

Date Published: 8 October 2015
PDF: 5 pages
Proc. SPIE 9793, Education and Training in Optics and Photonics: ETOP 2015, 979314 (8 October 2015); doi: 10.1117/12.2223099

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 9793:
Education and Training in Optics and Photonics: ETOP 2015