Polarization

When a transverse wave is reflected from a surface, it can become linearly polarized due to the preferential reflection of one of the two perpendicular components of the wave.

Brewster's angle is the angle of incidence at which a wave is completely polarized upon reflection from a dielectric surface. At this angle, the reflected wave is perpendicular to the refracted wave.

Optical activity is the phenomenon of the rotation of the plane of polarization of light as it passes through certain materials. This rotation is due to the chiral nature of the molecules in the material.

Quartz, calcite, and sugar solution are all optically active materials. They rotate the plane of polarization of light that passes through them.

Birefringence is the phenomenon of the splitting of a light beam into two beams with different polarizations. This occurs when light passes through a material that has a different refractive index for different polarizations.

Calcite, quartz, and tourmaline are all birefringent materials. They split a light beam into two beams with different polarizations.

Dichroism is the phenomenon of the selective absorption of light of certain polarizations. This occurs when light passes through a material that has a different absorption coefficient for different polarizations.

Tourmaline, herapathite, and iodine vapor are all dichroic materials. They selectively absorb light of certain polarizations.

Rayleigh scattering is the phenomenon of the production of polarized light by the scattering of light by particles that are much smaller than the wavelength of light.

Fluorescence is the phenomenon of the production of polarized light by the emission of light by atoms or molecules that have been excited by the absorption of light.

Brewster's angle reflection is the phenomenon of the production of polarized light by the reflection of light from a metal surface at the Brewster's angle.

Polarization by absorption is the phenomenon of the production of polarized light by the transmission of light through a polarizing filter. The polarizing filter selectively absorbs light of one polarization, while transmitting light of the other polarization.

Fraunhofer diffraction is the phenomenon of the production of polarized light by the diffraction of light from a narrow slit or aperture.

Young's double-slit experiment is the phenomenon of the production of polarized light by the interference of light from two narrow slits or apertures.

The Faraday effect, Kerr effect, and Cotton-Mouton effect are all phenomena of the production of polarized light by the magneto-optic effect. These effects occur when light passes through a material that is subjected to a magnetic field.