scholarly journals Experimental researches on the elliptic polarization of light

1843 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 394-394
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Investigation ◽  
Polarized Light ◽  
Tabular Form ◽  
Metallic Surfaces ◽  
Analytical Results ◽  
Elliptic Polarization ◽  
Polarization Of Light ◽  
Experimental Researches

This paper contains an experimental investigation of the phenomena of elliptic polarization resulting from the reflexion of polarized light from metallic surfaces, and the theory on which they are explicable; the analytical results being given in a tabular form, and applied to the cases of the experiments themselves.

scholarly journals X. On the elliptic polarization of light by reflexion from metallic surfaces

1845 ◽  
Vol 135 ◽  
pp. 269-282 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Royal Society ◽  
Metallic Surface ◽  
Metallic Surfaces ◽  
Elliptic Polarization ◽  
The Subject ◽  
The Law ◽  
Comparative Results ◽  
Polarization Of Light

In a former paper, inserted in the Philosophical transactions, 1843, Part I., I detailed observations on some phenomena of elliptic polarization by reflexion from certain metallic surfaces; but with reference only to one class of comparative results. From these I have been led to pursue the subject into other relations besides those at first contemplated; but, from various causes, have only been able tat this interval to submit to the results to the Royal Society as a sequel to my former observations. The changes in the degree of ellipticity, investigated in my former paper, correspond to certain changes in the thickness of metallic films . If we now consider the case of reflexion from a simple polished metallic surface , and admit that in this case it may be supposed to take place by the penetration of the ray to a certain minute depth, or to some action of a thin transparent lamina of the metal, then, in like manner, —dependent on the law of metallic retardation, —the effect would vary with a difference in the effective thickness of the lamina, produced by changing the inclination of the incident ray; and that this is the case in general is well known, viz. that as the incidence is increased, the ellipticity increases up to a maximum, which occurs for most metals at an incidence between 70° and 80°, beyond which it decreases up to 90°.

scholarly journals On the phenomena and laws of elliptic polarization, as exhibited in the action of metals upon light

1833 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. 406-408
Keyword(s):  
Circular Polarization ◽  
Royal Society ◽  
Polarized Light ◽  
Complete Analysis ◽  
Metallic Surface ◽  
Metallic Surfaces ◽  
Metallic Lead ◽  
Elliptic Polarization ◽  
Curious Property ◽  
As If

The action of metals upon light has always presented a remarkable, and hitherto inexplicable, anomaly in the science of polarization. Malus, to whom this branch of optics owes its origin, had at first an­nounced that metals exerted no polarizing influence on light; but Dr. Brewster, by employing a different method of observation, ascer­tained that the light reflected from metallic surfaces was modified in such a manner as to exhibit, when transmitted through thin crystal­lized plates, the complementary colours of polarized light. He af­terwards discovered the curious property possessed by silver and gold, of dividing a polarized ray into complementary colours by successive reflexions. M. Biot, to whom the author communicated this disco­very, pursued the inquiry to which it led, and arrived at the same conclusions as to the mode in which this class of phenomena should be explained. Subsequent researches, however, convinced the author that these generalizations had been too hastily formed; and the study of Fresnel’s curious discoveries' respecting circular polarization ena­bled him to advance still further in the inquiry, and he now presents to the Royal Society in this paper, a complete analysis of the singular phenomena exhibited in the action of metals upon light. The first section of the paper treats of the action of metals upon common light. A ray of common light reflected from a metallic surface when analysed by a rhomb of calcareous spar, exhibits a de­falcation of light in one of the images, as if a portion of the light was polarized in the plane of reflexion. This effect will be still more distinctly seen on examining the system of polarized rings formed round the axes of crystals by means of the light reflected from me­tals. If the light had suffered no modification by reflexion, or if the metal reflected in equal quantities the light polarized in opposite planes, the rings would not be visible at all, whereas it is found that they are easily visible in the light reflected from all metals. They are most distinctly perceived at an incidence of about 74°, and become more and more faint as the incidence succeeds or falls short of that angle. They appear best defined in light reflected from galena, and from metallic lead, and with least distinctness in light reflected from silver and gold. On examining the effect of successive reflexion of the same ray by metallic surfaces, the author found that the quan­tity of light which each polarizes in the plane of reflexion, increases with every reflexion, and that in several cases the whole incident pencil is completely polarized.

I. On the rotation of the plane of polarization of light by reflection from the pole of a magnet

1877 ◽  
Vol 25 (171-178) ◽  
pp. 447-450 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Strong Solution ◽  
Opposite Direction ◽  
Magnetic Force ◽  
Polarized Light ◽  
Transparent Medium ◽  
Positive Current ◽  
Magnetic Action ◽  
Polarization Of Light ◽  
Experimental Researches

At a meeting of the Dublin Scientific Club on Monday the 6th November, Professor Barrett gave the Club an account of Mr. Kerr’s experiments on the rotation of the plane of polarization of a ray of light when reflected from the surface of the end of a magnet, to which additional interest was attached by the reading of a letter from Mr. Kerr to Professor Barrett giving an account of the mode of making and of the last results of his experiments. At the time I proposed trying whether any similar effects would be produced by reflection from the surface of a crystal of quartz cut perpendicularly to the axis, as I was led to think there might be, owing to the similarity of the rotatory polarization of quartz and of substances under magnetic action. Following out that clue, I obtained the following explanation of Mr. Kerr’s experiment, and was enabled, through Professor Barrett’s kindness in helping me to verify my recollections of Mr. Kerr’s letter, to make sure that my theory explains the facts. Faraday has shown, in the nineteenth series of his experimental researches, that a ray of plane-polarized light, when transmitted through any solid (diamagnetic ?) transparent medium under the action of a powerful magnet, has the plane of its polarization rotated in that direction in which a positive current must circulate round the ray in order to produce a magnetic force in the same direction as that which actually exists in the medium. Verdet, however, discovered that in certain ferromagnetic media (as, for instance, a strong solution of perchloride of iron in wood-spirit or ether) the rotation is in the opposite direction to the current which would produce the magnetic force.

scholarly journals XXI. On the phenomena and laws of elliptic polarization, as exhibited in the action of metals upon light

1830 ◽  
Vol 120 ◽  
pp. 287-326 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Polarized Light ◽  
Wide Field ◽  
Metallic Surfaces ◽  
Elliptic Polarization ◽  
Professional Business ◽  
Field Of Inquiry ◽  
Curious Property

From the first dawn of the science of polarization, the action of metals upon light has presented a troublesome anomaly. Malus at first announced that they produced no effect whatever ; but by employing a different method of observation, I found that the light reflected by metallic surfaces was so far modified as to produce, when transmitted through thin crystallized plates, the complementary colours of polarized light. From a second series of expe­riments made previous to mine, Malus came to the conclusion, that the diffe­rence between transparent and metallic bodies consisted in this : that the former refract all the light which they polarize in one plane, and reflect all the light which they polarize in another; while metallic bodies reflect what they polarize in both planes. Having discovered the property of transparent bodies to polarize light by successive reflexions at angles at which a single reflexion produced no perceptible effect, I resolved to apply this method of examination to metals; and on the 7th of February 1815, when I first made the experiment, I discovered the curious property possessed by silver and gold of dividing a polarized ray into complementary colours by successive reflexions. As this subject promised to open a wide field of inquiry, I prepared for the ardent prosecution of it with all the metallic bodies which could be procured; but the pressure of professional business prevented me for about a month from doing any thing very effectual.

scholarly journals On the elliptic polarization of light by reflexion from metallic surfaces

1851 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 557-557
Keyword(s):  
Metallic Surfaces ◽  
Elliptic Polarization ◽  
The Subject ◽  
The Law ◽  
Comparative Results ◽  
Polarization Of Light

In a former paper, published in the Philosophical Transactions for 1843, the author gave an account of the observations he had made on the phænomena of elliptic polarization by reflexion from certain metallic surfaces, but with reference only to one class of comparative results. He has since pursued the inquiry into other relations besides those at first contemplated, and the present paper is devoted to the details of these new observations, obtained by va­rying the inclination of the incident rays, and the position of the plane of analysation, and by employing different metals as the re­flecting surfaces. By the application of the undulatory theory of light to the circumstances of the experiments and the resulting phænomena, the law of metallic retardation is made the subject of ana­lytic investigation. A polariscope of peculiar construction, of which a description is given at the conclusion of the paper, was employed in the experiments: and tables are subjoined of the numerical re­sults of the observations.

scholarly journals III. On the Plane and Angle of Polarization of Light Reflected at the surface of a Crystal

1844 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-65
Author(s):  
P. Kelland
Keyword(s):  
Polarized Light ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Polarization Of Light

The present Memoir is, to a certain extent, a continuation of one which the author presented to the Society in December 1838, and which has since been published in the thirteenth volume of the Transactions. Other motives, however, than the desire of completing the subject, have influenced him in producing the following analysis. A very important point in the hypothetical conditions which Fresnel assumed to hold with respect to polarized light, has, of late, been warmly combated in various quarters. Fresnel supposed that light polarized in a given plane consists of vibrations of such a nature that the motion is perpendicular to that plane. Neumann and other writers contend that the very opposite is the fact. We hope to be able to offer evidence of some little weight in favour of the former view; at the same time we do not pretend to shew the actual impossibility of the truth of the latter.

Polarization

Optics f2f ◽  
2018 ◽  
pp. 51-70
Author(s):  
Charles S. Adams ◽  
Ifan G. Hughes
Keyword(s):  
Plane Wave ◽  
Wave Solution ◽  
Polarized Light ◽  
Plane Wave Solution ◽  
Polarization Of Light

This chapter discusses the polarization of light, including the transverse nature of the plane-wave solution; the linear and circular bases are introduced, and the propagation of polarized light in media is analysed.

On the diathermancy of Antimonite

1903 ◽  
Vol 13 (62) ◽  
pp. 342-347
Author(s):  
A. Hutchinson
Keyword(s):  
Cleavage Surface ◽  
Direct Sunlight ◽  
Orthorhombic System ◽  
Elliptic Polarization ◽  
Polarization Of Light

A determination of the constants of elliptic polarization of light reflected from a fresh cleavage surface of antimonite enabled Professor P. Drude to calculate two of the indices of refraction of this substance as 5.17 and 4.49 respectively. Instead, however, of the symmetry-axes of the crystal, regarded as belonging to the orthorhombic system, coinciding with the principal vibration directions in the plane (010), he found that the latter were inclined to the former lines at angles which varied in different observations between 2.6° and 15.4°. These observations, which indicate that the symmetry of antimonite is of the oblique or anorthie type, stand in opposition to those of Professor O. Mügge, who found that exceedingly thin flakes of antimonite placed between crossed nicols in direct sunlight transmitted sufficient light of a deep red colour to enable him to determine the extinction as straight.

scholarly journals Patterns and properties of polarized light in air and water

2011 ◽  
Vol 366 (1565) ◽  
pp. 619-626 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas W. Cronin ◽  
Justin Marshall
Keyword(s):  
Polarized Light ◽  
Natural Scenes ◽  
Circularly Polarized Light ◽  
Circularly Polarized ◽  
Current State ◽  
Visual Systems ◽  
The Earth ◽  
Predictable Pattern ◽  
Linearly Polarized ◽  
Polarization Of Light

Natural sources of light are at best weakly polarized, but polarization of light is common in natural scenes in the atmosphere, on the surface of the Earth, and underwater. We review the current state of knowledge concerning how polarization and polarization patterns are formed in nature, emphasizing linearly polarized light. Scattering of sunlight or moonlight in the sky often forms a strongly polarized, stable and predictable pattern used by many animals for orientation and navigation throughout the day, at twilight, and on moonlit nights. By contrast, polarization of light in water, while visible in most directions of view, is generally much weaker. In air, the surfaces of natural objects often reflect partially polarized light, but such reflections are rarer underwater, and multiple-path scattering degrades such polarization within metres. Because polarization in both air and water is produced by scattering, visibility through such media can be enhanced using straightforward polarization-based methods of image recovery, and some living visual systems may use similar methods to improve vision in haze or underwater. Although circularly polarized light is rare in nature, it is produced by the surfaces of some animals, where it may be used in specialized systems of communication.

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