Question:
Unpolarized light is incident on a combination of a polarizer, a \( \lambda/2 \) plate and a \( \lambda/4 \) plate kept one after the other. What will be the output polarization for the following configurations?
Configuration 1: Axes of the polarizer, the \( \lambda/2 \) plate and the \( \lambda/4 \) plate are all parallel to each other.
Configuration 2: The \( \lambda/2 \) plate is rotated by 45° with respect to configuration 1.
Configuration 3: The \( \lambda/4 \) plate is rotated by 45° with respect to configuration 1.
Unpolarized light is incident on a combination of a polarizer, a \( \lambda/2 \) plate and a \( \lambda/4 \) plate kept one after the other. What will be the output polarization for the following configurations?
Configuration 1: Axes of the polarizer, the \( \lambda/2 \) plate and the \( \lambda/4 \) plate are all parallel to each other.
Configuration 2: The \( \lambda/2 \) plate is rotated by 45° with respect to configuration 1.
Configuration 3: The \( \lambda/4 \) plate is rotated by 45° with respect to configuration 1.
Configuration 1: Axes of the polarizer, the \( \lambda/2 \) plate and the \( \lambda/4 \) plate are all parallel to each other.
Configuration 2: The \( \lambda/2 \) plate is rotated by 45° with respect to configuration 1.
Configuration 3: The \( \lambda/4 \) plate is rotated by 45° with respect to configuration 1.
Show Hint
A \( \lambda/4 \) plate will convert linearly polarized light to circular polarization when aligned at 45° to the axis of the light.
Updated On: Nov 18, 2025
- Linear for configuration 1, linear for configuration 2, circular for configuration 3.
- Linear for configuration 1, circular for configuration 2, circular for configuration 3.
- Circular for configuration 1, circular for configuration 2, circular for configuration 3.
- Circular for configuration 1, linear for configuration 2, circular for configuration 3.
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The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understanding the effects of the plates.
The polarizer only transmits light in one direction. The \( \lambda/2 \) plate changes the polarization from linear to elliptical depending on its orientation. The \( \lambda/4 \) plate converts linear polarization into circular polarization when the light is incident at 45° to the optical axis. Based on the orientations, the output polarizations are determined.
Step 2: Conclusion.
Thus, the correct answer is option (A).
The polarizer only transmits light in one direction. The \( \lambda/2 \) plate changes the polarization from linear to elliptical depending on its orientation. The \( \lambda/4 \) plate converts linear polarization into circular polarization when the light is incident at 45° to the optical axis. Based on the orientations, the output polarizations are determined.
Step 2: Conclusion.
Thus, the correct answer is option (A).
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