Message-Id: <33376B1D.5FA6@justin-siena.napanet.net>
Date: Mon, 24 Mar 1997 22:05:18 -0800
From: Dan Gray <dgray@justin-siena.napanet.net>
To: pinhole@exploratorium.edu
Subject: Re: Polarizing filters
I explain polarizing filters in terms of vector components. Consider
the alignment direction of the molecules in the filter to be one
component direction (X), and the other is the perpendicular direction
(Y). When a photon enters the filter, its electric field is oscillating
in a direction that has an X and a Y component. The X component is
absorbed by the molecules and the Y component gets through. So the only
way the light can be completely absorbed is if it is oscillating in the
X direction of the filter absorbing it. In the case where light passes
through A, then B, then C and there is a 45=B0 difference in the molecula=
r
alignment between A and B and a further 45=B0 difference in the molecular
alignment between B and C, some light must get through since no two
adjacent filters are perpendicular.
I hope this helps,
Dan Gray
dgray@justin-siena.napanet.net