For partially polarized light the degree of polarization is defined by P = (I_max - I_min)/(I_max + I_min), where I_max and I_min are the largest and smallest intensities measured along two mutually perpendicular directions. If a partially polarized beam has P = 0.25, what is the approxima

Question

For partially polarized light the degree of polarization is defined by P = (I_max - I_min)/(I_max + I_min), where I_max and I_min are the largest and smallest intensities measured along two mutually perpendicular directions. If a partially polarized beam has P = 0.25, what is the approximate ratio of the maximum to minimum amplitudes along these two perpendicular directions?

Accepted Answer

1.3. P = (I_max - I_min)/(I_max + I_min) = 0.25. Let r = I_max/I_min. Then (r-1)/(r+1) = 0.25 -> r - 1 = 0.25r + 0.25 -> 0.75r = 1.25 -> r = 5/3 = 1.667. Amplitude ratio = sqrt(r) = sqrt(1.667) ≈ 1.29 ≈ 1.3.

Solution

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