The Polaroid analyser provides a convenient method for analysing polarisation of light, and stress in suitable materials.
Polaroid sheet acts like a “grid” and allows only light waves oscillating in one plane to pass through. If another polaroid sheet is placed in front of the first, and aligned in the same direction, the polarised light from the first will pass through the second since the waves are in the correct plane. If the second polaroid is rotated through 90 degrees none of the waves will be able to pass and little light is transmitted. This system is known as “crossed polarisers” and is used in this apparatus.
Some materials have the property of rotating the plane of polarisation of light and when placed between the crossed polarisers allow some of the light to pass. Furthermore, stresses in the material change the amount of rotation and this change is also dependent upon the wavelength of the light. Coloured patterns are therefore produced which give information about the stresses in the material.
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