Can reflection result in plane polarised...

Can reflection result in plane polarised light if the light is incident on interface from the side with higher refractive index?

Text Solution

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Yes, reflection can occur even if the light is incident on the interface from the side with higher refractive index. However, polarisation by reflection occurs only when the angle of incidence is equal to the Brewster.s angle (`i_p)`.
`:. tan i_p = mu = (mu_2)/(mu_1)`, where `(mu_2 < mu_1)`
When light travels in such a medium the critical angle is given by
`sin i_c = 1/(mu) = (mu_1)/(mu_2)`, where `mu_2 < mu_1`
For large angles, `(tan i_p) > | sin i_c |`.
Thus, polarisation by reflection shall definitely occur in such situation.

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