1·1.s, ,1,,,v, .., ...

~-- -• v1 0,

20.14.1 . SUPERPOSITION OF e-RAY AND o-RAY

Now we are in a position to.understand
. what
tal happens
I t I when .
. b e-ray and o- ray overlapo
other after emerging from an amsotrop1c crys P a e. t 1s o V1ous that they ntach
interference fringes in a double s~t experiment. On the other hand, they com~~not Pn>dllcc
different states _of pol~sation depending uI>9n their optical path difference. tne to
1. Wh(:n ~e optic.al path difference is Oor an even or odd multiple of iJ2 th
wave is linearly polarised. ' e resultant li&ht
2. When the optical ,path difference is iJ4, the resultant light wave is elli ti
3. In the particular instance when the wave amplitudes are equal and the ! cally J>Olarket
is 'JJ4, the resultant light wave is circularly polarised. op cal path diffetencc

1111 TYPES OF POLARISED LIGHT

We can now sum up the various types of polarised light
as follows.
(i) Unpolarized light, which consists of sequence of
wave trains, all oriented at random. It is considered
as the resultant of two optical vector components,
7
which are incoherent.
(ii) Linearly polarised light, which can be regarded
as a resultant of two coherent linearly polarised
waves.
(iii) Partially polarised light, which is a mixture of Schematic representation of
linearly polarised light and unpolarised light. panially polarized light.
Partially polatized light is represented as shown in
Fig. 20.32. Fig. 20.32
C:3
 Chapter : 20 : Polarlzatlon 509
£UipticallYpolarised light, wbic~ is the resultant of two coherent waves having different
(i1
1
) aJ]lplitudCS and a constant ph~ difference of90" (see Fig. 20.33). ln elliptically polarized
. h the magnitude of electnc
hgt, . vector E changes with time and the vector E rotates aut ho
the (!ireetion of propagabon.
y

. t"cally polarised light is 'produced whet\ 'tv&ci1'~rthogonal coherent waves having different
Ell1p I r " • h h'
amplitudes and a phase difference of 90°, supe~se on eac ot er.
Fig. 20.33.

If we imagine that ~e 'are looking at tlie-light wave advancing towards us, we would
I • I . \
observe that the tip,of the E vect(/r traces,an ellipse. If we look from sides, we would fmd
m
that the tip ofE sweeps a flattel).~ helix, spa~e.,When :,ve·are looking back towards the
source, if the rotation of E vector occurs clockwise, it is said to be a right-elliptically-
polarised wave. If it ·rotates anti-
clockwise, as we look back toward the - · Y
source it is sai_d to be a left-elliptically
polarised waye.
(v) Circularly polarised'light, which is ,' '\
the resultant of two' coherent waves I
having same amplitudes and a constant '
phase difference of 90°. A light wave , ,
1

is said to be ci;cufar,ly polarised, if

zc;>

·· about the direction of propagation l

the magnitude of the electric vector E
stays con,starit ~ht the vector rotates

such that it goes on sweeping a circular

helix in space (see Fig. "20.34). If we Fig. 2034
imagine that the wave is advancing
510 A W of Optics
toward our eyes. we would find !hat the tip of lhe E vector of lhe wave lrac
the l'Olalion of lhe tip of Eis clockwise. as seen by an observer looking
1
10
bac:'
ci11:1,. If
source. then the wave is said to be rlgbt-dn:ularly polarlwd. If lhe tip of E "'11'1!:! !flt
clockwise, as seen by an observer looking back toward lhe source, lhe wave :-~ lllltj..
left-circularly polarised. Slid lo be

fDll EFFECT OF POLARIZER ON TRANSMISSION OF POLARISED LI~

(i) If unpolariz.ed li~l is incident on a pol~r, lh~ trans~tted light will be I i ~ .
light. The intensuy of the transD11tted polansed light will be half the intensity of y l>Ollriaed
light incident on lhe polarizer. The intensity of lhe transmitted light does n01unpo1~
rotation of the polarizer. change OQ
(ii) If partially polarised light is incident on a polarizer, lhe intensity of the Iran .
will be dependent on lhe direction of the transmission axis of the polarizer. ~nu~Cd light
of lhe transmitted light will vary from a maximum value I.,.. to a minimum v~ •ntensity
1
one full rotation of the polarizer. Two positions of !max and two positions of 1 . Uc ..., ill
one complete rotation. nun OCcUr in
(iii) If plane polarised light is incident on the polarizer, lhe intensity of transrni .
varies from zero to a maximum value. Two positions of zero intensity and two lted_ ~gh1
of full intensity I occur in one complete rotation of lhe polarizer. l>Osltions
(iv) When circularly polarised light is incident on a polarizer, lhe intensity of the trans .
light stays constant in any position of the polarizer. The circular vibrations may be lllilted
into two mutually perpendicular linear vibrations of equal amplitude. When the ~lvCd
polarised light is incident on the polarizer, the vibrations parallel to its lransrni CU'cularly
pass through the polarizer while the perpendicular component is obstructed ~n
polarizer is rotated, there is always a component of constant intensity paraUei to then the
of the polarizer, which is freely transmitted. Hence, the intensity of the lransmiltede
is the same for all positions of the polarizer. light
(v) In case of elliptically polarised light, the intensity of the light transmitted thro gh
polarizer varies with the rotation of the polarizer from 1- to Imin. I is found the
polarizer ax.is coincides with the semi-major ax.is of the ellipse and I. occurs when the
polarizer ax.is coincides with the semi-minor ax.is llllll w en the
of the ellipse.

FJilg RETARDERS OR WAVE PLATES

Retarders are a class of optical elements that serve to
change the state of polarization of an incident wave. The
operation of a retarder is very simple. When plane polarized
light is incident on a retarder, it splits the light into two plane
polarized light waves and one of the waves lags behind the
other by a known amount. Upon emerging from the retarder,
the two waves superpose on each other to produce a wave,
which is of a different state of polarization. A quarter wave
plate and a half wave plate are two important retarders. As
calcite is brittle and difficult to handle in the form of thin
slices, it is not generally used to make retardation plates. ·
Retarders are frequently made from quartz but more often
Retarders.
they are made using the biaxial crystal mica.
 Chapter : 20 : Polartzatlon • ~ ll

ou.Aflff.Fl WAVE PLATE

p'~te is a !bin plate of birefringent crystal having the optic axis para!\ 1 .
i0,1 1'1·q,,or1er wove "' .. troduces a qu'."1er-wave (A/4) path difference
its tbiclcne5S adjusted such that 11 m
e to ,ts
faCeS and of 900) between the e-ray and o-ray propagating through iL
~ c difference iarized light wave is incident on a birefringent crystal having the optic axis
cf, P11wiien & plane_Po f ce the wave splits into e-wave and o-wave. The two waves travel along
I its re~ung -~ different velocities. As a result, when they emerge from the rear face of
,!
_,.J!el 1~tion bUI Wlth difference would be developed between them. Thus, for a quartz wave
1;;"#1'~., an optical pa
pr ,;('/Sil"'
A, (20.44)
p11te> (µ, _µ.)d == 4
(20.45)
d"' 4[µ, -µ.]
ate intraduces between
...~r wave pl . b
A qu"'- difference 6 given Y
raY a phase o
e-ttY aJld o- 6 == (Zit/A,)~ == w2 == 90 .
tate is used ill producing
_,,,r,e,-wave p d 1· ht It
.4 q__, · . cularly polarise 1g ·
elliPpeoJIY 0: c•;arised light into elliptically or A quarter wave plate placed between a
convertS plan .. -~ light depending upon the ang~e mirror and a polarizing sheet creates an anti-
cil'°1arlY ~lall51i ht vector makes with the opuc reflection filter.
., iJICldeRI g
11¢ ..,e · arter wave plate.
~s,of the qu wave plate on elliptically and
"cdon of q ~ light:
clJ'Cu)arlY Po

Quarter
wave plate

- -. ,~.
Action of a quarter wave plate. Linearly pol~d light is produced in either case of elliptically or
circularly polarized light incident on !he plate.
Fig. 20.35

Let us consider elliptically polarised light being incident on 8 q art I • •

polarised light may be viewed as made up of two coherent u e~ wave P ate. Ellipbcally
amplitudes and differing in phase by 900. the quarter plan~ polansed waves of different
' · y.,ave plate mtrodu deli .
difference of 900 leading to a total phase difference of 1800 be ces an a Uonal phase
When they emerge out of the plate, they combine 10 fonn'linear tween ~e two component waves.
20.35. Toe action of the quarter wave plate on
cin:ularl 1 . ly ~lansed wave, as shown in Fig.
polarised light incident on a quarter wave platc'i~ co~v~ ~se1 Vght wave is similar. Circularl
- - mto liriearly polarised light. y
20.17.2, HALF WAVE PLATE
A half wave plare is a thin plate of birefringent crystal having the optic atjs
refnicting faces and its thickness chosen such that it introduces a half-wave 0.12) path :;i1t1 ta ill
a phase difference of 180") between e-ray and o-ray. ' ·(at

to its refracting faces, it splits into two waves: o- and e-waves. The two waves travel
direction inside the crystal but with different velocities. As a result, when they emerge
a1:s
When a plane polarized light wave is incident on a quartz crystal having the 0ptic .

rr!n
~It!
the,
face of the crystal, an optical path difference would be developed between them. the~
i..
(µ, -µ. )d = 2

(20.47)
A half wave plate introduces between e-ray and o-ray a phase difference 6 given b
o = (21t/A.)a = 1t = 1so~ °"i · ·· . Y
Rotation of the plane of polarisation of linearly polarised light by a half wave plate:
Now let a plane polarized light be incident normally on the half-wave plate. Let the
vector E make an angle 8 with the optic axis of the half wave plate (see Fig. 20.36). Th .el~c
,
wave, splits into two waves, e- and o-waves. The waves progressive • 1y develop path differen
e lllc1n...
""'ot
they travel through the crystal and they emerge with a phase difference of 1800. When the tw cc as
combine, they yield a plane-polarised wave, which has its plane of polarization rotated Waves
angle of 28. Therefore, a half-wave plaJe rotates the plan~ o! polarization of the iflCiden,UF)I an
polarised light through an angle 28. The half wave plate will mvert the handedness of elli llane
circular polarised light, changing right to left and vice versa. P caJ or

7
Half wave plate

Linearly
polarized
light

I :ct=
Fig. 20.36

PRODUCTION OF ELLIPTICALLY POLARIZED LIGHT

A quarter wave plate and a polarizer are the optical devices necessary to produce elliptically
polarized light from unpolarized light. ·
Unpolarized light is first converted to plane polarized light by allowing it to pass through a
polarizer (a polaroid sheet or a Nicol prism). The plane polarized light is then made incident on a
quarter wave plate (see Fig. 20.37). The quarter wave plate or the polarizer is rotated such that the
 • Chapter : 20 : Polarlzatlon S13

I I

Elliptically
polarized Light

Polarizer

k
Fig.20.37
11
E11•ar;s
...,._ • p'Jl':n
- e•Po
i=,;lan
::'"':
·ze•d li=g'S
ht=w
==ave makes an angle 0 (* 45°) with the optic axis of th8
,>""' ,..,vectorplolO· 0 '\'h'-;,,;ideDt ':'Y di."''d mto . o-ray ,nd. ,-ray of amplitudes
. E ,in 8 ,nd E CM e_
quarter \\'travel along the same direcUo~ m the crystal with different veloc1°:es. The two rays are
11'"1' ., _.,.,i pt,n,s·'[bey ,rem phaso ot the front face but P'°l!'c'"vely got oot of pb=
,.,.,.., -gh tho ay,W. _,. they """"' out of the ay,W they will bavo a p,uh dil(erenco
a.s tbeY tr3ve1base difference of 90°. When they combine, they produce elliptically polarized light

•"'"''',,
~.,.,. oerecTION OF ELLIP:flCALLY POLARIZED LIGHT .
fight boUn is ,llowod to P"' ""°?gh "'
.
(, po)a<md •h"'1
.
<>< a Nicol prism). If
• g tho """y,ing potaroid sb<cl o< Ntc<>I, the ,nre,,sny of the -
11 beam vari<S from ,
::: , - vab>e, but~ "':v'c ,ero,_- tho incident light is elliptically polarized- A
_ . .10.t would bo obi,in<d lithe modont light " p,rt,,lly polarized- 1be two cases may be
""'""""'by - ""''"" w,v, pl,to m tho path of light before n fall, on the ,nalyse<. If
,. "'""'light~ ,llipli"'1Y pot,riWI. ,t may bo ,ons,dored as resultant of two coherent pl,no

0E90
I
Optic axis Linearly

l =-~t - , ~ -·
I
Result
Elliptically• .._.____ _ _ _...J Polarized

polarized waves, that is e-ray and o-ray, which are out of phase b 90° If th ·
light P"'" duoogb the
d '
rn
'"""' Wov> pl,te. ,n addition,l pt,,,, difforenco of 90' is
Therefore, the total phase difference becomes 1soo betw th uce between the e-ray and o-ray.
the quarter plate, the e-and o-rays combine to produce el e-~y ~d o-ray. On emerging from
of quarter wave plate is examined with an analyzer a:e P? anzed ~gbt. If the light coming out
rotation of the polarizer as shown in Fig. 20.38. ' g t will be exunguisbed twice in one full

ffl1lll PRODUCTION OF CIRCULARLY POLAR .

A quarter wave plate and a polarizer are the . IZED LIGHT
polarized light from unpolarized light. optical devices required for rodu . .
Unpo,..,.,., Ugh< is fm< coovomd to el~ p
e polarized light by allowin g it
·crng ru<ulmcly
. to pass through a
 A Textltook of Optics
polarizer (a polaroid sheet or a Nicol prism). Plane polarized light is then made to be ille·
quarter wave plate. The polarizer and the quarter wave plate arc rotated such that the el •~ nt Oil
E of the plane-polarized wave makes an angle of 45° with the optic· axis of the quan- Wav vec,~
~,Cttric
Ii
The plane polarized wave incident on the quarter wave PIate sp ts into two rays, o-ray cP '-e
equal amplitude (E cos 45° = E sin 45°). The two rays travel the same direction insi:d e-ray
1 2
but with different velocities(See Fig. 20.39). The two rays arc 10 phase at the front face of :e cry~
but progressively get out of phase as they travel through the cryS tal . .As they emerge frornethcry~
face of the crystal, they will have a path difference ~f Al~ or phase difference of 90". The 0e~
linearly polarized in mutually perpendicular direcuons. When they combine, they ; raY's
crrcularly polarized light. l'Od11cc

I ii
Fig. 20.39

20.19.1 . DETECTION OF CIRCULARLY POLARIZED LIGHT ~

w A>

The light~ is allowed to pass through an analyser (a polaroid sheet or a Nicol prism). If
rotating the analysing polaroid sheet or Nicol, the intensity of the emerging beam remains unifo on
~en 1!1e incident li~t is circularly polarized. A sirnil_ar _res~t would _be ob~ed if the incident
is ordinary ~polarized light. The two cases may be dis~gws~ed b~ m~rttng a quarter wave plate in
Ii:
the path of light before it falls on the analyser. If the gtven light 1s crrcularly polarized, it may be
considered as resultant of two coherent plane polarized waves, that is e-ray and o-ray, which are O t
of phase by 900. If the light passes through the quarter wave plate, an additional phase difference uf
90" is introduced between the e-ray and o-ray. Therefore, the total phase difference becomes 18~
between thee-ray and o-ray. On emerging from the quarter plate, thee- and o-rays combine to produce
plane polarized light. Therefore, if the light coming out of quarter wave plate is examined with an
analyser, light will be extinguished twice in one full rotation of the polarizer as shown in Fig. 20.40.

Optic axis
Circ larly
Linearly ,7
offio
L Polarized Light

QWP
Polarized

.. .,,.,,.,
I
Result

_.JJ..;SIICZJAC=
 Chapter : 20 : Polarization 5 15

NALYSIS OF POLARIZED LIGHT

I A , light may exhibit any one of the three types of polarization, or may be unpolarized
Ill p racuce
. 'fhe unaided eye cannot di stmgms
· · h the diftierent types of polarization. However,
~ed ~- and a quarter wave plate, the actual type of polarization of a light beam can be
ot. a pvlaflzer Jlowing steps are used in the analysis of the type of polarization.
8
iJSlllg . ed 'fhe 10 ,
~riatll · . t of unknown polarization is ~owe? to fall normally_ on a ~ol~zer. The polarizer
(i) 'fhe lightbrt>Ugh a full circle _and _the mte~s1~ of the transrru~ed light 1s ob~erved. If the

7
wlY rotated 'tted light is extmgmshed twice m one full rotation of the polanzer, then the
I
is s o. of the transmt .
jJltellsttY . ht is ptane polarized.
. identlig
,oc Polarizer
Plane Polarized

polarization W----!:=:=-_ __.._,--r----4-__., 0

Conclusion
Not known
I
Operation Result

l
(a)
Fig. 20.41

.a • f th transmitted light varies between a maximum and a minimum value

(ii) If the mten~•ty O ,e ti gw·shed in any position of the polarizer, then the incident light
but does not become ex n ., .
is either elliptically polarized or partially polanzed.

lm,ffil~
Polarizer lmax Elliptically
Polarized
Polarization or
Partially
Not known polarized
Operation lmax
Result Conclusion
(b)

Fig. 20.41

If the intensity of the transmitted light remains constant on rotation of the polarizer, then
(iii)
the incident light is either circularly polarized or unpolarized.
To distinguish betwee~ ellip~cally polarized and partially polarized or between the circularly
polarized and unpolarized light, we take tbe help of a quarter wave plate. The light is first
made to be incident on the quarter wave plate and then it passes through the polarizer.
I

EB
Polarization Circularly
I Polarized
1
Not known
~~polarized
operation I
Result
(c) Conclusion
Fig. 20.41
S16 ATulltooll of
(iv) Ir the incident light i! elliptically polarized, qu~er wave plate con~ • •
11
plane polarized beam. When this linearly pol~zed hght through the .,1

E: -i1J · I
would be extinguished twice in one full rotation of the polanzer. ~ .

0ffil O:!~
polarized
Result

L
Operation Conclusion
(d)

I
Fig. 20.41

On the other hand, if the transmitted light intensity varies between a m»:
th . .d l"gh .
minimum without becoming zero, then e mc1 ent I
. ~mumlllld
-=
t 1s partially polarized.
._ 1

Partially
polarized
o
QWP

_r_ _ __....-1-1++---1
Polarizer

lmin
w
w
1max
Partially
lmin polarized
Elliptically
polarized lmax
Operation
Result Conclusion
(e)
Fig. 20.41

7
(v) If the incident light is circularly polarized, the quarter wave plate convens •
polarized light. When this linearly plane polarized light passes through th it mto_ Plane

E8
would be completely extinguished twice in one full rotation of the polarizeer.polartzer, it
QWP Polarizer
1
Unpolarized Circularly
or H-- - - polarized
0 0
Circularly

L
polarized
1
Operation
Result Conclusion
(f)

7
Fig. 20.41
-==---=-
On the other hand, if the intensity of the transmitted light stays constant, th th~

li;::~p -~•
Circularly
IEIBI U-o~

polarized
I
Operation
Result Conclusion
(g)
Analysis of I · d r h
the polarizatt:~gh~~ t. A polarizer and a quarter wave plate help in determining the type of

Fig. 20.41
L~,- ' .~(:A•.,. ' ' --
__The ability to rotate the plane of polansauon of plane polansed light by certain -b-•=---
called optical activity. Substan~es, which have the ability to rotate the plane of the s~ ~tances is
passing through them, are called optically active substances. Quartz and cinnabar : ansect light
optically'dactive crystals while aqueous solutions of sugar, tartaric acid are optically active
~Xlllllples
soluti·of.
an~-
d li
Polarizer

Plane of
Plane of Tube polarized
Unpolarized polarized containing light
light light sample
(b)
:otation of the plane-pol~zed light. The plane is rotated by an angle after the
ght passes through an opucally (a) active crystal or (b) solution.
 - • •-,- •~• • 6U ; rutanzatt
ticallY active substances are classified into two types. 523
on
()p
(i) pextrorotatory substances: Substances which th
light towards the right are known as right-handedrotate e plane of polarizaf•on of the
or dex trorotat
(ir) 1,aevorotatory substances: Substances which rotat th ory.
/:.light towards the left are known as left-handed or Iaevorotatory
e e plane. of polarization of thc

FRESNEL'.$ EXPLANATION OF OPTICAL ROTATION

za.z4..1"
• liO
· early paJarised
. . . light can
'th th • 1arly polansed
be considered as a resultant of two crrcu . .b .
. in oppasite difeebons Wt e same angular velocity. Fresnel assumed th vi ratJons
((Jlll(111g ntering a crystal along the optic axis is resolved into two circular! all plane-polarised
·gbt on e • ·th th Y po ansed v1brati
. in oppasite difeebons w1 e same anguIar frequency. In a crystal like cal . ons
li p01arised vib111tions 1111vel with the same angular velocity. cite, the two

A ,,.,_K
,,
, I'

B
B
(a) (b) (c)
(a) Alinearly polarized light wave can be reg~ded as a r~ultant of a right ricul~ly polarized wave
and a left circularly polarized wave: (b) optically macuve m~tenals, the v1bra11ons _corresponding
to the circularly polarized waves rotate with equal _angular veloetty. (c) In opucally acuve substances,
the vibrations rotate with different angular veloc111es.
Fig, 20.50.

In Fig. 20.50, OL is the circularly pol_arised vector rotating in the anticlockwise direction and
OR is the circularly polarised vector rotating in the clockwise direction. The resultant of OR and OL
is the vector OA (Fig. 20.50b). According to Fresnel, when linearly polarised light enters a crystal of
calcite along the optic axis, the circularly polarised vibrations rotating in opposite directions have
the same velocity. The resultant vibration will be along OK. Therefore, crystals like calcite do not
rotate the_plane of vibration.
Inc~ of quartz, the linearly polarised light, the component having clockwise rotation travels
faster than the anticlockwise component. When the components emerge out of the crystal, they are
at an angle li. The resultant of these two vectors OR and OL is now along OD (Fig. 20.50 c). Before
entering the crystal, the pl_ane of vibration is along OA and after emerging from the crystal, ii is
along OD. The plane of v1bra11on has rotated through an angle li/2. The angle through which th
plane of vibration is rotated depends on the thickness of the crystal. e
 -gPECIFIC ROTATION
. If an optically active material is kept between two crossed po
1
:ze:r~
. the field of view becomes
through an angle. The
bnght. In order to get darkness once again, the analyser bas to h rohi h the plane of polarization
angle through which the analyser is rotated equals the angle throug w c
is rotated by the optically active substance. This angle depends on
I (a) the thickness of the substance, ·.
(b) density of the material or concentration of the soJuuon,
(c) wavelength of light, and
(d) the temperature.
The amount of rotation 9 caused by crystalline materials is given by
8=a.l
In solutions the amount of rotation 8 is given by
9=sc l
where c is the concentration and s is called the specific rotation.
1' The specific rotation for a given wavelength of light at a given temperat~re is def!~ed
•
conventionally as the rotation produced by one decimetre long column of the solutwn contammg
J gm of optically active material per c.c .of solution.
8 Rotation in degrees JO 8
2 6
[st_ = l x C = Length in decimetres x cone. in gm/c.c. = l(cm)C ( 0.5 )

El ~URENT'S HALF SHADE POLARIMETER

A polarimeter is an instrument used for determining
the optical rotation of solutions. When used for determining
the quantity of sugar in a solution it is called a saccharimeter.
Construction: A polarimeter consists of a glass
tube for holding the solution under test held between
crossed Nicol prisms, N 1 and N2• Beyond the polarising
Nicol prism a half-shade plate is located which is used
for accurately adjusting the two Nicol prisms for crossed
position. G is a glass tube which contains the optically
active solution. Light from a monochromatic source is
rendered parallel by the lens L and is incident on the
polarizer, N 1• The light transmitted by the polarizer is Polarimeter
S26
- - A Tutltook
-- - - -- -of
- """"'"-
plane polarised. The polarised beam then passes th~ugh _the h~lf-~hade plate and the
11
the glass tube G. The light emerging from the solution w,IJ be incident on the an 1 th~ 11.h
. N' I N a Yser Ill

l
light is observed through a telescope T. The analy 5mg tco 2 can be rotated abou 1·
the tube and the rotation can be measured with the help of a graduated circular sca\~~c ~i! ()r

L N HSP G N2 S T
o<:HJt1z~;1/t11~11 ~ z4't~~· ~.-~ ~-
GlassTube
Containing Solution
Fig. 20.52

Working: To find the specific rotation of a

solution, the analyser is first adjusted such that field of
view is completely dark. Then the glass tube is filled
with the solution and is held in position. The fiel<;i of
view now becomes illuminated. The field of view can
be again be made dark by rotating the analyser through
a certain angle which gives the optical rotation of the
solution. The practical difficulty in this method is in C D
determination of the exact position for which complete
darkness is achieved. The difficulty is overcome by using
what is known as a Laurent's half-shade device (Fig.
20.53). lt consists of a semicircular half wave plate ACB
of quartz cemented to a semicircular plate ADB of glass.
The optic axis of the wave plate is parallel to the line of
L· Fig. 20.53
separation AB. The half wave plate introduces a phase ..,;;;..;;=c=;;:;;:
difference of 180" between e-ray and o-ray passing
through it. The thickness.of the glass plate is such that it transmits the same amount of light as d
by the quartz half wave plate. One hal_fof the incident light passes through the quartz plate ACB one
the other half through the glass plate ADB. The light after passing through the polarizer is inc•:d
normalJy on the half shade plate and has vibrations along OP. On passing through the glass, h~ thnt
vibrations will remain alon~ OP but on passing throug~ the_quartz half, the vibrations will split int:
e- and o-rays. The o-vibrations are along OD and e-v1brations are along OA. The half wave plate
introduces a phase difference of 1t rad between the two vibrations. The vibrations of o-ray will occur
along OC instead of OD .on emerging from the plate. Therefore the resultant vibration will he a!on '
0Q whereas the vibrations of the beam emerging from glass plate will be along OP. In effect, the hJ
wave plate turns the plane of polarisation of the incident light through an angle 20. If the principal
plane of the Nicol N2 is aligned paralJel to OP, the plane polarized light emerging from the glass tube
will pass through the glass plate of the half shade plate and that part appears brighter. On the other
hand light coming out of the quartz plate is partially obstructed and the corresponding field of view
appears less bright. If the principal plane of N2 is parallel to 0Q the quartz half will appear brighter
than the glass half. Thus, the two halves of the plate are unequalJy illuminated. When the principal
plane of N2 is paralJel to AB, the two halves appear equally bright and when it is parallel to CD, the
two halves are equalJy dark. To find the specific rotation of a solution, the analyser is first set in the
position for equal darkness without solution in the tube G. The reading on the circular scale is noted.
Next, the tube is filled with the optically active solution of known concentration. The field of view
is now partially illuminated. The analyser is rotated till the field of view becomes equally dark. The
 Chapter : 20 : Polarization S27
. the circular scale is noted again. The difference
0
~ding ; two scale readings gives the angle of rotation of

we plane o
8
r
i,er.veen ; larisation caused by the solution. Knowing the
nd c the specific rotation is obtained using the
values of • °) Or ~therwise, knowing the value of the specific
6
fo!IJlula (Z0. 5 · tration of the solution can be determined
.on the concen
rotaD help of the equation (20.56). .
With th al penmen! different concentrauons of
In theactueX
ak
• f.
d the corresponding angles o rotauon
· s • t ~an · C
solunon . A ph is plotted between co~cenu:311on

•----------=
are deternuned. The graph is a strrught line (see 7
and the angle of rotanon 8 .
0 54) Fig. 20.54
fig. 2 . . . th value of the slope in equ. (20.56), the specific
. Usmfthg e tically active substance is calculated.
rotanon o e op .

Ell BIQUARTZ .
Instead of half shade plate, a biquartz plate ~ HANDED
. also used in· polarimeters. It consists of two

'~1,,/
::roicircula:r plates of quartz 'each of_thic~ess
_ mm. One half consists of right-handed op~cally
3 75
active quartz, while the other is left-handed optically
·active quartz.
If white light is used, yellow light is LEFT HANDED. B
quenched by the biquartz plate and both the halves Fig. 20.55
will have the tint of pas; age. This can be adjusted
by rotating the analyser N2 to a particular position.
When the analyser is rotated to one side from this
position, one half of the field of view appears blue; while the other half appears red. If the analyser
is rotated in the opposite direction, the first half which was blue earlier appears now red and the
second half which was earlier red appears blue now. Therefore, by adjusting the position of the
analyser, the field of view appears equally bright with tint of passage.