How can transverse waves be polarised?

1 Answer
Gió
Oct 29, 2015

Have a look:

Explanation:

Basically you need a conducting grid that can "trap" one component of the electric field of the incoming unpolarized wave. For example:

enter image source here

The free electron in the metal rod of the grid "uses" the incoming wave vecE→E field to move up and down practically cancelling it (using its energy) as in an antenna. So, the emerging wave will lose all the components of the vecE→E field parallel to the rod.

The case I showed you can be tested using microeaves and a piece of chicken wire (the wavelength of microwaves is comparable with the gap spacing of the mesh).
If you have, say, visible light of smaller wavelength you may use a grid of special polymers called polaroid.

Related questions
See all questions in Transverse waves
Impact of this question
2200 views around the world
You can reuse this answer
Creative Commons License