1 Answer
Brewster refers to Brewster's angle, a concept in optics that describes the angle at which light with a particular polarization is perfectly transmitted through a transparent surface, with no reflection.
When light strikes a boundary between two materials (like air and glass), part of the light is reflected, and part of it is refracted (or transmitted). At a specific angle, called Brewster's angle, the reflected light is completely polarized. This means that the reflected light only oscillates in one direction. Brewster's angle is useful in polarizing filters, like those found in sunglasses or camera lenses.
The formula for Brewster's angle (\( \theta_B \)) is:
\[
\tan(\theta_B) = \frac{n_2}{n_1}
\]
Where:
At this angle, the reflected light becomes perfectly polarized, and this property is used in various optical devices.
When light strikes a boundary between two materials (like air and glass), part of the light is reflected, and part of it is refracted (or transmitted). At a specific angle, called Brewster's angle, the reflected light is completely polarized. This means that the reflected light only oscillates in one direction. Brewster's angle is useful in polarizing filters, like those found in sunglasses or camera lenses.
The formula for Brewster's angle (\( \theta_B \)) is:
\[
\tan(\theta_B) = \frac{n_2}{n_1}
\]
Where:
- \( \theta_B \) is Brewster's angle,
- \( n_1 \) is the refractive index of the first medium (usually air),
- \( n_2 \) is the refractive index of the second medium (like glass or water).
At this angle, the reflected light becomes perfectly polarized, and this property is used in various optical devices.