How does light oscillate?

p1419601_34

Item no.: P1419601

Principle

If the light is reflected by a glass pane it is polarised i.e. the degrees of freedom of the vibration are restricted and the wave then only vibrates in a single direction. If such polarised light falls onto a polarisation filter only allowing light through in one particular direction of vibration, the intensity of the light is attenuated or even blocked completely.

Tasks

How does light vibrate? Light is an electro-magnetic transverse wave, which means that it vibrates at right angles to the direction of propagation. Determine the dependency on the angle of the transmission of a polarisation filter by means of a photodiode. Determine the relationship between the angle of polarisation and the intensity of the transmitted light.