written by
Michael Davidson, Shannon Neaves, and Mortimer Abramowitz
published by
the Olympus America, Inc. and the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory
This item is a tutorial for students of introductory physics or optics on the topic of light polarization. It explains the basic concept of polarization, and offers links to related Java simulations for beginners. It is appropriate for non-science majors.
This item is part of a larger collection of materials for students of introductory optics on the topic of light and color. See Related items on this page for a more advanced tutorial developed for science majors.
<a href="https://www.compadre.org/introphys/items/detail.cfm?ID=6756">Davidson, M, S. Neaves, and M. Abramowitz. Molecular Expressions: Light and Color - Polarization of Light. Center Valley: Olympus America, Inc., August 1, 2003.</a>
M. Davidson, S. Neaves, and M. Abramowitz, (Olympus America, Inc., Center Valley, 1998), WWW Document, (https://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/optics/lightandcolor/polarization.html).
M. Davidson, S. Neaves, and M. Abramowitz, Molecular Expressions: Light and Color - Polarization of Light (Olympus America, Inc., Center Valley, 1998), <https://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/optics/lightandcolor/polarization.html>.
Davidson, M., Neaves, S., & Abramowitz, M. (2003, August 1). Molecular Expressions: Light and Color - Polarization of Light. Retrieved April 21, 2025, from Olympus America, Inc.: https://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/optics/lightandcolor/polarization.html
Davidson, M, S. Neaves, and M. Abramowitz. Molecular Expressions: Light and Color - Polarization of Light. Center Valley: Olympus America, Inc., August 1, 2003. https://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/optics/lightandcolor/polarization.html (accessed 21 April 2025).
Davidson, Michael, Shannon Neaves, and Mortimer Abramowitz. Molecular Expressions: Light and Color - Polarization of Light. Center Valley: Olympus America, Inc., 1998. 1 Aug. 2003. 21 Apr. 2025 <https://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/optics/lightandcolor/polarization.html>.
@misc{
Author = "Michael Davidson and Shannon Neaves and Mortimer Abramowitz",
Title = {Molecular Expressions: Light and Color - Polarization of Light},
Publisher = {Olympus America, Inc.},
Volume = {2025},
Number = {21 April 2025},
Month = {August 1, 2003},
Year = {1998}
}
%A Michael Davidson %A Shannon Neaves %A Mortimer Abramowitz %T Molecular Expressions: Light and Color - Polarization of Light %D August 1, 2003 %I Olympus America, Inc. %C Center Valley %U https://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/optics/lightandcolor/polarization.html %O text/html
%0 Electronic Source %A Davidson, Michael %A Neaves, Shannon %A Abramowitz, Mortimer %D August 1, 2003 %T Molecular Expressions: Light and Color - Polarization of Light %I Olympus America, Inc. %V 2025 %N 21 April 2025 %8 August 1, 2003 %9 text/html %U https://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/optics/lightandcolor/polarization.html
Disclaimer: ComPADRE offers citation styles as a guide only. We cannot offer interpretations about citations as this is an automated procedure. Please refer to the style manuals in the Citation Source Information area for clarifications.
This item is a full tutorial on the polarized light microscope, its history, and the applications of its use. Links are provided to a variety of interactive Java applets which simulate the use of this type of microscopy.
This item is an interactive Java simulation that explores the phenomennon known as Brewster's Angle, the angle of incident light at which maximum polarization is induced.
Record Link
Save to my folders