Wollaston Prisms

 

Code Number: 6H35.35

Demo Title: Polarization - Wollaston Prisms

Condition: Excellent

Principle: Birefringence

Area of Study: Optics

Equipment: 

Wollaston Type Prisms, Unpolarized Laser, and Polarizers

Procedure:

These prisms are made from calcite, but are designed so that the two polarized rays have a greater divergence angle that you would have using a calcite crystal.

References:

  • Wikipedia - Wallaston Prism https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wollaston_prism.
  • T. Kallard, "Interferometric Method of Producing Optical Diffraction Gratings ", Exploring Laser Light, p. 232.
  • Wallace A. Hilton, "P-2", Experiments in Optical Physics, p. 60.
  • Jearl Walker, "6.129, Colors and Spots and Polarization", The Flying Circus of Physics Ed. 2, p. 296.