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

1. 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.
2. The refractive index of the flint glass prism is to be found.
3. The reflection coefficients are to be calculated using Fresnel's formulae and compared with the measured curves.
4. The reflection factor for the flint glass prism is to be calculated.
5. 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