A Modern Approach to Quantum Mechanics · Problem 2.21

Angular Momentum — John S. Townsend

Physics — Quantum Mechanics · birefringent-crystal-circular-polarization

Problem

Linearly polarized light of wavelength 5890 Å is incident normally on a birefringent crystal that has its optic axis parallel to the face of the crystal, along the xx axis. If the incident light is polarized at an angle of 45° to the xx and yy axes, what is the probability that the photons exiting a crystal of thickness 100.0 microns will be right-circularly polarized? The index of refraction for light of this wavelength polarized along yy (perpendicular to the optic axis) is 1.66 and the index of refraction for light polarized along xx (parallel to the optic axis) is 1.49.

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