Re: [Phys-L] Simulation on polarization

[Bernard Cleyet <bernard@cleyet.org>]

> On 2016, Feb 05, , at 07:20, Savinainen Antti <antti.savinainen@kuopio.fi> wrote:
>
> Hello,
>
> a student wanted to understand the following situation: when unpolarized light passes through a polarizer, 50% of the intensity passes through regardless of the orientation of the polarizer. I gave her two explanations. However, she felt that it would help to see a simulation on the situation. 
> Subsequently, I found the following YouTube presentation which was the student (and I as well) found helpful:
> <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YkfEft4p-w>.


Being averse to vid. clips, I only “skimmed” it. So did I miss a demonstration or is it only CGIs?  

From my distant past (ca. 1954), I remember the jump rope analogies.   I suppose one could design a shaker that shook the rope at random angles.  However, one may easily excite the rope w/ circular polarization, then select any angle of polarization w/ a slot.  Another slot would then show Malus’ law.  e.g.  


(@ ~ 2 minutes)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wP-HME8fpnI  


bc   thinks that demo is, unfortunately, CGI, also.  


p.s. I prefer metal grates and X-band microwaves to demonstrate optics;  homologies, not simulations.  


see:    http://www.cleyet.org/Misc._Physics/Microwave-Optics/