Polarization by Scattering
Suppose unpolarized light encounters an atom and scatters (energy absorbed & reradiated).
- What happens to the polarization of the scattered light?
- Claim the scattered light is polarized perpendicular to the plane of the scattering.
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- For example, assume the incident unpolarized light is moving in the z-direction.
- Scattered light observed along the x direction (scattering plane = x-z) will be polarized along the y-direction.
- Scattered light observed along the y direction (scattering plane = y-z) will be polarized along the x-direction.