Principle

Plane-polarized light is reflected at a glass surface. Both the
rotation of the plane of polarization and the intensity of the
reflected light are to be determined and compared with Fresnel’s
formulare for reflection.

Benefits


see that reflection at a glass surface changes some properties of light

find out that at special angles, light can be completely polarized upon reflection

very versatile optical base plate



Tasks


The reflection coefficients for light polarized perpendicular
and parallel to the plane of incidence are to be determined as a
function of the angle of incidence and plotted graphically.

The refractive index of the flint glass prism is to be
found.

The reflection coefficients are to be calculated using
Fresnel’s formulae and compared with the measured curves.

The reflection factor for the flint glass prism is to be
calculated.

The rotation of the polarization plane for plane polarized
light when reflected is to be determined as a function of the angle
of incidence and presented graphically. It is then to be compared
with values calculated using Fresnel’s formulae.


What you can learn about


Electromagnetic theory of light

Reflection coefficient

Reflection factor

Brewster’s law

Law of refraction

Polarization

Polarization level