A polarizer is used to produce linearly polarized light travelling along the zˆ axis with the electric field swinging in the ±xˆ direction. When the electric field vector points in the +xˆ direction, which way does the magnetic field vector point? Draw a coordinate system illustrating the situation. A second polarizer is now inserted after the first with its polarization direction along (xˆ+yˆ)/ 2. Given that the amplitude of the electric field after the first polarizer is E0, how big is the amplitude after the second polarizer? What is the polarization direction of the wave after the second polarizer?

A polarizer is used to produce linearly polarized light travelling along the zˆ axis with the electric field swinging in the ±xˆ direction. When the electric field vector points in the +xˆ direction, which way does the magnetic field vector point? Draw a coordinate system illustrating the situation. A second polarizer is now inserted after the first with its polarization direction along (xˆ+yˆ)/ 2. Given that the amplitude of the electric field after the first polarizer is E0, how big is the amplitude after the second polarizer? What is the polarization direction of the wave after the second polarizer?