Light is a transverse wave. The direction of the vibrating electric and magnetic vectors are at right angles to the direction of propagation ( Fig.10.1 ).
Figure 10.1
Light is emitted by a great number of atoms. The plane of oscillations of vector is not the same in space. The orientations of this vector as well as vector are arbitrary ( Fig. 10.2a ).
This is so called a natural or unpolarized light. If there is an interaction of light and substance the effect of polarization takes place.
Figure 10.2
A plane polarized wave is shown in Fig.10.2b. The plane of oscillations of vector is regulated. There are three ways of producing a polarized light: reflection of light; refraction of light; transmission of light through anisotropic substance ( calcite crystal CaCO3 ).
According to the law of Malus, the intensity of light transmitting through the analyzer can be calculated by the next formula
, (10.1)
where I is a transmitted intensity ; Im is the maximum value of the transient intensity, it is equal to the intensity of light, falling on the analyzer; θ is the angle between the plane of polarizer and the plane of analyzer.