Half-Wave and Quarter-Wave Plate
Wave plates cause a phase shift between two perpendicular polarizations. We demonstrate the effect of quarter-wave and half-wave plates on linearly polarized light.
A half-wave plate with its axis tilted 45° from the plane of linearly polarized light rotates its polarization plane by 90°.
A quarter-wave plate with its axis tilted 45° from the plane of linearly polarized light produces circularly polarized light.
If two crossed polarizers are placed one after the other, no light passes through.
After inserting a half-wave plate with its axis rotated 45° relative to the first polarizer, the plane of polarized light is rotated by 90°.
With a half-wave plate, light does not pass if the second polarizer has its transmission axis oriented vertically.
When a quarter-wave plate is inserted between the polarizers, circularly polarized light is produced. Circularly polarized light passes through the second polarizer regardless of the orientation of its transmission axis.
Circularly polarized light passes through the second polarizer regardless of the orientation of its transmission axis.
Circularly polarized light passes through the second polarizer regardless of the orientation of its transmission axis.