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Question

Why does the intensity of light transmitted through three polaroids reach a maximum when the middle one
is at 45° to the crossed first and third polaroids?

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Explanation

**Polarization** transverse wave property, light after polaroid polarized along pass-axis, Malus law I = I₀ cos²θ, θ angle between pass-axes, initial unpolarized intensity I₀ after first polaroid I₁ = I₀/2, after second at 45° I₂ = I₁ cos²45°= I₀/2×0.5= I₀/4, after two perpendicular 90° I=0 because cos90°=0, for 60° I= I₀/2×cos²60°= I₀/2×0.25= I₀/8. At 45°, the middle polaroid allows maximum projection of the polarized light from the first to pass through the third, optimizing the cosine-squared term in Malus’ law. Using Δ = d sinθ, y = n λ D/d, a sinθ = n λ, I = I₀ cos²θ, n = c/v, sinC = 1/n,

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