335 the1S ...(6.

15)basunequal of known
of the
cases value to plate.
thatof # Monochromatic
difference a
as is definiteparallelwave
POLARISATION
clear with
long special light plate. light
half Emergent
is light QWP.
6.21
Fig.
as beams the PLATES polarised face
retardation
It phase a (i)
polarised. polarised 5:2 produce its plate,
2 ah are t
light
a when light WAVE elliptically with
and elliptically
light.
polarised wave axis Opic
circularly polarised to as erystal
amplitudes lights. as known quarter
polarised HALF so
is plane polarised
andcrystal refracting
is light 5n2
=2, circularlyAND circularly is withof of called it of to
ray =h
awhen
orays () difference wavelength
6.21,
equal twwoelliptically
emergent refracting namely capable Both(perpendicular
emergent cut
of QUARTER doubly is
with 6.20C).=1 of typesand and crystal waves Fig. plate.
resultant detectingbetweene plates, and in
facesphase of shown
sinp Various doublya
thebeams the an polarised the
Thus Fig. 0, Thus is :PLATES and
from retarding uniaxial extraordinary light direction
inside
lightin cosp
then/2 (b) 6.20 a cut refracting
a
or monochromatic
as velocities.
ellipse. fromdifference [QWPI
circe. shown thatof Fig. plane producing is
plateof
refracting
/4 plate. plate
waves
polarisedb, seendifference cut of same
a a becomes
an that RETARDERSWAVE types Plate the /4 a
difference
and
of as and light.
polarised
elliptically plate retarding such different
of is or the
equationlight
equation conclude device phase two doubly
for to ordinary and
parallel plate'of on in
plane = It A W4)
(6.11) phase
6.2(d). Plates
Retardation normally
polarised plate.
or are
a There(or path beam -intotravel
with
two When Generally,
difference the wave
an Eq. an [Link] we retardation Wave ofplateaxisa
simplest a up wavesbut
these
is of is Thus, between
producing When
Thisin amplitude QuarterA optic 'quarterincident
(iv):
Thisresultant Then
axis. brokenfaces)
circularly
shown 6.6
Case The path optic its
as 2a IS Is the
336 ENGINEERING PHYSICS |

In case of negative crystal such as calcite, the eray travels faster than oray, so that u, >u
where , and , are the principal refractive indices of the crystal for o and erays respectively
If is the thickness of the plate, then path in the crystal plate is equivalent tou,t and tin air
for o and erays respectively. Hence the path difference between the two waves on emerging in
case of negative crystal is given by
A-(4,-u,) ..(6.16)
If the plate acts as quarter wave plate, the path difference () must be equal to 4
ie.,

or (for negative crystal) .6.17)

For positive crystal such as quartz , >o

A=(4,-H,)t=4 4(4,- H,) ..(6.18)

Aquarter wave plate is used in the production of circularly and elliptically polaised light. IF
the angle of incidence of the plane polarised light is 45° with optic axis, the emergent light is
circularly polarised. On the other hand, if the incident plane polarised light meets the optic axis at an
angle not equal to 45°, then the emergent ray is elliptically polarised.
Half Wave (or /2) Plate [HWP]
Aplate of doubly refracting uniaxial crystal cuts with its optic axis parallel to the refracting
faces and capable of producing a path difference of 2/2 or phase difference of nbetween oand
-rays is called a "half wave plate or W2 plate".
If t is the thickness of such a plate, then in case of negative crystal such as calcite (4, >u,) the
path difference between the ray and eray is given by
A=(4, -4)!
If is the wavelength of light used, then for a half wave plate, the path difference (4)

! .(6.19)
2(4,-4,) (for negative crystal)
For positive crystal such as quartz ,>Ho
).
.(6.20)
24,-W)
 POLARISATION 337

If plane polarised light is incident upon a half wave plate such that it
the direction of the optic axis, theemergent light is also plane polarised withmakes an angey
vibrations inclined at
an angle 24. Therefore, a à/2 plate is used in the construction of Laurent's half shade device used
in a polarimeter.

Difference Between Half Wave Plate and Quarter Wave Plote

Half wave plate (HWP) rotates the plane of polarisation of plane polarised light but quarter
wave plate (QWP) converts it either to circular or elliptic polarisations. Thus, the monochromatic
light after passing through Nicol is allowed to fall on these plates one by one by making an angle
and examined by rotating Nicol, the following shall be observed in one complete
rotation.
HWP ’ m ’ Imin =0 Iny’ min =0
QWP -’ may Imin 0’ Imax ’ 'min 0

The HWP and QWP are thus distinguished.

Disadvantages of Retardation Plates
The retardation plates are true for one particular wavelength because their thickness depends
upon .. Thus the same will not be equally effective for all the colours.
Example 6.6 A retardation plate of thickness 8.56x 10-m introduces a phase difference in the path of
polarised light of wavelength 5890 A. The principal refractive indices are u, =1.658, , =1.486. Find the
nature of retardation plate.
and u,=1.486.
Solutio. Given t=8.56 x 10 m, .= 5890 A =5.89 x 10m, u, =1.658
We know that path difference in case of retardation plates is A=(u, -H,)t
27 2n
=-H)
Then phase difference =x path difference
2x nx(1.658-1.486)x 8.56x 10-7 radian
5.89x 10

ordinary ray is ,then path difference

.. Phase difference between extraordinary ray and 2

So particular plate will be quarter wave plate.

thickness ofa quarter vave plate for the light of wavelength 6000¢, the
Etample 6.7 What is the optical
Pireringence of theplate (4, -4,) being 0.172 ?
Given i.=600 nm 6000× 10 m; (4, -u,)=0.172
Solution. In quarter ware plate :
thickness of quarter wave plate
We know that optical
4(4, -4, )
6.000x 10-10 6000 m.
m
10 m -8.720x 10
4x0.172 4172
338 ENGINEE RING PHYSICS I

Evample 6.8 Calculate thickness of Quartz half wave plate, gien , and u, are 1.5442 and 1.5533
reetnely, whee warlength of light used is 5890 Á. IGGSIPU, Oct 2013 (2 marks) ; Nav. 2014 (3 marksil
1.5442, 1.5533 and à. =5890 A -5890 ×10 m
Soluion. Given ,
Thickness of quartz half wave plate

2(4, - )
5.89× 107 5.89x 10
2x(1.5533-1.5442) 2x00091
323.62 x 10 =32.35 um

xample 6.9 Alhalf uvae plate is constructed fora uavelength of 6000A. For uhat wavelength does it or
as a quarter wave plate: (GGSIPU, Dec. 2013 (2.5 marks)l
Solutio. The thickness of a half wave plate for a given crystal is

which is expression for thickness of a quarter wave plate for wavelength 2. Hence the halí watre
plate for Àwill behave as a quarter wave plate for =22. (2 x600 A=12000 A) provided the
variation of pwith is neglected.
b./ ONVERSION OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF POLARISED LIGHT
 polarised light unpolarised polariSt

state of polarisation.
Fig. 6.29 Analysis of the light for the

6.11 ROTATORY POLARISATION (OPTICAL ACTIVITY)

and A (analyser)
If monochromatic light is passed through two Nicol prisms P (polariser) the beam
placed in the crossed position, no light will emerge out of them. Nicol prism Prenders
plane polarised with vibration in its principal plane and these vibrations are not allowed to pass
through Nicol prism Abecause its principal plane is perpendicular to the direction of these
ibrations. However, if we introduce a plate of positive doubly refracting crystal i.e, of quartz in
betseen these two prisms, it is found that some light emerges out Nicol prism Aand to get
 POLARISATION 345

Polariscr
Analyser

Fig. 6.30 An illustration for optical activity.

complete darkness, Nicol A has to be turned through some angle as shown in Fig. 6.50. TnS
indicates that light coming through the quartz is still plane polarised but the plane of
is rotated through an angle equal to the angle through which polarisation
Nicol prism A has to be rotated to
restore the original condition.
This property of rotating the plane of polarisation about the direction of
propagation of light is called optical activity ond the substances having this property
are called optically active
substances.
Some of them rotate the plane clockwise called rielt
doing so in anticlockwise direction are handed or dextrorotatory while others
called left handed or laevorotatory. Cane sugar is
dextrorotatory while the fruit sugar is
 i.e., = f(T)
6.11.2 Specific Rotation
For a comparison of optical activity, a term spedific rotation or specific rotatory power is adopted,
which is usually denoted by 'S. It is defined in different ways for solids, liquids and solutions.
 346 ENGINEERING PHYSICS

() For solids
defined by the equation ...(6.27)
In case of solids, it is
solids. tho
millimeter length of the solid. Thus for directi
produced in degrees by I solid in the
where Oin the rotation produced by I mm thickness of the
rotation
rotation is the angle of
Specitic
optic axis.

(i) For liquids equation

is defined by the
In case of liquids, it ..(6.28)
0- Sxlxp
in gm/cc. Thus f
measured in decimeter (= 10 cm) and p is the density the
where the path length l is polarisation produced by 1decimeter column of
plane of
the
liquids, the specific rotation of
pure liquid divided by its density.
defined hr
water, the specific rotation is
(iii) For solutions
dissolved in distilled
In case of solutions e.g., sugar
the equation ..(6.29)
0= Sxlx C
decimeter.
produced in degrees, l is the length of the solution in
where is the rotation rotation (in degrees) of plane of
solutions is defined as the
Thus specific rotation for when its concentration in 1 gm/cc.
Thus
polarisation by 1 decimeter length of solution,
.(6.30)
S=
IxC
Rotation in degrees
Specific rotation =
or
Length in decimeter x Concentration in g/l cc

S: ...(6.31)
and Im
) [in degree (decimeter) (gm/cc)|
here that specific
where m is mass of active substance in gm in Vc.c. solution, it is to be noted
of active solvent, the
rotation is not a constant but it varies with wavelength of light, the nature
concentration of the solution and its temperature.
The product of specific rotation and molecular weight of the optically active substance is
known as molecular rotation i.e.,

Molecular rotation =Specific rotation x Molecular weight.

Example 6.10 The plane of plane polarised light is rotated through an angle of 13.5°, when light passe
through a 10 cm cube containing 20% sugar solution. Calculate the specific rotation.
20
Solution. Given : 0 =13.5°, Il = 10 cm 1dm, C-20% = gm/cc
100
 POLARISATION 347
The specific rotation is given by
13.5100
1 20 -67.5 ldm/gm/cm
Cyample 6.11 A5% Soufion of cane
ae Hotw much ength of 10% solutionsugar placed in a tube of leneth 40 cm, causes
of the same the optical rotation
substance will causes 35° rotation ?
Solution. Given: IGGSIPU, Sept. 2012 3 marks)]
5% -0.05; , 40 cm; 0, -20"
C, =10% =0.1;
I, =?; 0, =35
We know the specific rotation |S], =
lzC
According to problem,
S= 6,

or
350.05-x 40 cm =35 cm.
20 0.10
6.12 POLARIMETERS
The polarimeters are the instruments designed to
substance. When they are calibrated to read directly the measure
the angle of rotation produced by
known as sacharimeters. Polarimeters can be used to find percentage of cane sugar solution, they are
the specific rotation of sugar solution or if
the specific rotation is known, they can be used to find its
concentration.
There are four types of polarimeters:
1. Laurent half shade polarimeter
2. Biquartz polarimeter
3. Lippich polarimeter
4. Soleil compensated biquartz polarimeter.
Here we discuss only Laurent half shade polarimeter.
6.12.1 Laurent's Half Shade Polarimeter
This instrument is used to measure the optical rotation of certain solutions. For known
specific rotation the concentration of sugar solution can be determined.
Construction. The Laurent's half shade polarimeter is illustrated in Fig. 6.31. It consists of two
Nicol prisms - one serves the purpose of polariser while other works as analyser. These polariser
and analyser are capable to rotate about an axis. Aglass tube is provided which is filled with the
Solution of an optically active substance. Ahalf shade device is placed between the polariser and
glass tube. The ends of this glass tube are covered firmly with two glass plates. This tube is placed
between polariser and analyser.
 348 FNGINEERING PHYSICS I

Tont Eyepiece
sour
Analyser
Polariser Half shade
Lens
device

determination of specific rotation.

Fig. 6.31 Experimental set up for
Function of Holf-shade Device
portion is made up of quartz while the other
The half-shade device is a circular plate. Its half
taken such that it produces a path difference of
half is made of glass. The thickness of quartz half is extraordinary rays i.e., it serves the purpose of
2/2 or phase difference of n between ordinary and
chosen as to absorb the same light to that of
half wave plate. The thickness of the glass plate is so
quartz half.
vibrations along
Working. Let the plane polarised light emerging from the polariser has the i.e., along O4
OA. Now from the glass plate the emergent light will have same direction of vibration
as shown in Fig. 6.32.
to
In case of quartz plate the incident light splits up into o and erays. The erays are parallel
they
optic axis while o-rays are perpendicular to it. Now since for quartz the o-rays travel faster,
Therefore.
gain a phase difference of ror path difference of /2 on emergence from the quartz plate.
the emergent light from quartz plate will have the vibrations along OX' (+ray) and along OX
(eray). Thus, from quartz plate resultant will along
OB. Now when the principal plane of the analyser is AX

parallel to BOB the light from the quartz plate will pass
through completely, while from glass plate will
transmit partly. Therefore, the half part at the left side
will be brighter as compared to the right half. When the
principal plane of analyser is parallel to A0A' the right
half will be brighter. But when the principal plane of Half Glass
analyser is set parallel to optic axis of half shade device, wave plate B' plate
ie, along XOY, the two halves will be equally bright. of quartz
Optic
This position of analyser is recorded. With the help of Yy axis

this recorded value of specific rotation of the solution

Fig. 6.32 Working of half shade device.
may be determined by adopting procedure given below :
Determination of Specific Rototion of Sugar Solution
The specific rotation of sugar solution may be measured by adopting the following
procedure:

> The polarimeter tube or glass tube is first filled with water and the reading of the
analyser is recorded when two halves become equally bright.
 POLARISATION 349

> Now the water is removed and sugar solution of known concentration is hied
tube. The analyser is again rotated till the two halves are equally bright and reading 1s
noted.
> The difference in readings obtained by above two steps gives the angle of rotaion oo
the plane of polarisation for that concentration of the solution.
> Now the same procedure is repeated with the solutions of different concentrations and
the corresponding values of are determined.
the angle of rotation
> A graph (Fig. 6.33) is plotted betweenThis graph is a straight
(0) and concentration of solution ().
line.
value of /C and therefore,
> The slope of the graph gives the calculated with the help of
the specific rotation of sugar is
expression
C’
...(6.32)

temperature
Fig. 6.33 Concentration versus where I is the length of the tube in decimeter and experiment.
whole
angle of rotation. and wavelength are constant throughout the

Formulae at a Glance

6.1 Brewster's law, =tan , (ii) o - a=b, r+=a, ircle

where
reflecting (iv) 9=;a =b, +%-1, ellipse
a
u = refractive index of the
medium and 6.4 (a) QWP fornmula: =
4(4,- H)
, - polarising angle
6.2 Malus law, (b) HWP formula: t=
|=a'coso or l= cos0 2(4, - )

where where t = thickness of half or quarter wave

through plate, u, = refractive index of e-ray
l= intensity of transmitted light
analyser u, = refractive index of o-ray
polarised light
lo = Intensity of incident 6.5 Specific rotation (lfc Im
polarised light
a= Amplitude of incident
6.3 General equation of an ellipse where 9 = rotation in degrees

y o s o=sino l=length in decimeter

ah C- concentration in glcc
m = mass of soluion ing
() o =0 y= 'x, straight line
V=volume of solution in cc
line
(i) o =n, V=-r, straight