Question

If the phase difference between two rays is π/2 and the angle of incidence is not equal to π/4, the emergent light is ____________

(a) Linearly Polarized

(b) Elliptically Polarized

(c) Circularly Polarized

(d) Non-Polarized

This question was posed to me in an interview for job.

My question is based upon Production of Circular and Elliptically Polarized Light in portion Polarisation of Engineering Physics II

Answer 1

The correct answer is (b) Elliptically Polarized

Best explanation: In this case, the equation of the emergent light becomes the equation of an ellipse, which is \(\frac{x^2}{a^2} +\frac{y^2}{b^2} = 1\). Thus, the emergent light is elliptically polarized and the plane of the ellipse is normal to the direction of propagation.