PYL 115: Applied Optics

Tutorial Sheet-VI
Polarization and Anisotropic Media

1. Consider a block calcite (no = 1.66 and ne = 1.49 at 0 = 404.6 nm). Obtain the polarization and the
index for the ordinary and the extraordinary waves for the k vector making an angle of 30o with the z-
axis.
2. Repeat Q.1 for k vector at 45o.

Air Air
3. Two prisms of calcite ( n o  n e ) are cemented together as
shown in figure. Lines and dots show the direction of the optic III IV
axis. A beam of unpolarized light is incident normally from II
region I. Qualitatively show the path of rays in regions II, III I
& IV indicating the direction of oscillations of the electric
field.
4. For calcite the values of no and ne for 0 = 404.6 nm are 1.68134 and 1.49694 respectively;
corresponding to 0 = 706.5 nm the values are 1.65207 and 1.48359 respectively. We have a calcite
quarter-wave plate corresponding to 0 = 404.6 nm. A left-circularly
polarized beam of 0 = 706.5 nm is incident on this plate. Obtain the

state of polarization of the emergent beam. 1

5. Consider a Wollaston prism consisting of two similar prisms of calcite (no


= 1.66 and ne = 1.49) as shown in the figure. Show that an unpolarized 15 0
2

beam entering such a prism will split into two orthogonal linearly
polarized waves with  1  2.620 and 2  2.610 ; the
0
angle of the prism is 15 .
6. We next consider a Rochon prism as shown in figure. The optic axis of
the first prism is normal to the face of the prism and the optic axis of the  1

second prism is parallel to the edge as shown in the figure. Show that one
of the polarized beams will emerge out of the prism undeviated and the
other will come out with  1  3.30. What will be their states of
polarization? (The angle of the prism is 180).
0
15