POLARIZED LIGHT: A PRACTICAL
HANDS-ON INTRODUCTION
An On-Site Course; Available
in 1 and 1.5 day formats
Recent Participant Comments:
"Excellent course. Will help in my current job."
"Great Class - Recommend highly to anyone working in
optics or radiometry."
"Both content and presentation were excellent."
"I thought Mr. Fisher did an excellent job with the
topic and the time allotted."
"This course was superb!"
Summary:
This course, presented by Dr. R. A. Fisher, will cover
beginning and intermediate topics in polarized light. Emphasis will be
placed upon simple, clear explanations, taking examples from everyday experiences.
The presentations will utilize numerous demonstrations, including "hands-on"
activities. The course will be equally suitable for photographic enthusiasts,
technical personnel, managers, and technicians. Each attendee will
receive two linear polarizers, a circular polarizer, a quarter-wave plate,
and a half-wave plate.
Considerable material will be appropriate for those who
wish to become familiar with the fundamentals. Attendees will learn to
appreciate a light beam's "polarization degree of freedom," and attendees
will learn how to use various polarization-modifying elements (linear polarizers,
half-wave plates, Faraday rotators, etc.) to convert the beam's state of
polarization from one form to another. There will be a strong emphasis
on assuring that each participant retains a well-founded visualization
of each concept, and the reliance upon mathematics will be kept to a minimum.
Discussions will include:
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Linear polarizers and states of linear polarization
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Mechanical strains in transparent materials
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The concept of orthogonality
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Circularly polarized light
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The concept of state vectors and the use of matrices
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The reflective properties of polarized light
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Selected applications (including laser switchouts and laser
amplifier isolation)
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Transformation of representations
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Optical activity
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Faraday rotation and Faraday isolation
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How to find the c-axis of a crystal
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The Poincaire sphere
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The Jones mathematical formalism (1.5 day version only)
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Statistical issues of partial polarization (1.5 day version
only) including Stokes vectors amd Mueller Matrices
Each idea is explained in clear and simple terms with an
emphasis on underlying physical principles and without a reliance upon
mathematics. Pertinent references and review material are identified. The
course notes contain copies of each vuegraph used during the day so that
participants can spend a maximum amount of time listening and understanding.
Each participant will receive a course notebook showing
each vuegraph used during the day.
Benefits
This course will enable you to:
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Understand the different states of pure polarization.
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Understand how to convert one state of polarization to another.
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Measure a given beam's state of polarization.
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Know how the different polarization-modifying elements (Half-wave
plate, Quarter-wave plate, Faraday rotator, etc.) operate.
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Apply the proper polarization-modifying element to alter
the state or polarization of a polarized beam.
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Learn how polarization changes upon reflection.
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Understand the difference between optical activity and Faraday
rotation.
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Appreciate the interference of two orthogonally polarized
beams.
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Appreciate the many practical applications associated with
the control of the state of polarization.
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Specify what polarization element will be suitable for a
particular function.
-
Develop a fundamental picture of the meaning of circularly
polarized light.
Intended Audience
Scientists, engineers, technicians, photographic enthusiasts,
and managers who need a fundamental understanding of polarized light.
Continuing Education Units (CEU's) available upon request.
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