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Wave Polarisation

This interactive demonstrates Malus' Law, where I = Imaxcos2(θ). Drag the filter directly or use the sliders.

Source Flux (I₀) 100.0 W/m²
Inter-Stage (I₁) 50.0 W/m²
Transmitted (I₂) 50.0 W/m²
Acute Angular Delta (Δθ) 0.0°
POLARIZER FILTER (θ₁) ANALYSER FILTER (θ₂) STAGE 1: Chaotic Unpolarized Source STAGE 2: Linear Polarized Reference STAGE 3: Analysed Output State
0°
0°
1.2 Hz
i
The grids represent the long polymer chains that absorb the E-field parallel to the chains. Hence, transmission is at right angles to the polarisation axis.