Polarization of light creates art, explains mathematical concepts
Stochastic stress-induced birefringence in plastic spoons left in the hot sun was visualized via polarization-filtered staining. The ladle is placed between a pair of parallel polarizer sheets in an open-gate arrangement, with a parchment paper backing to act as a diffuser for sunlight illumination. Credit: Aaron Slepkov, University of Trent Light polarization supports the latest technological innovations, including 3D cinema and LCD. In LCDs, small, electronically controllable liquid crystal elements are sandwiched between the polarizers. If, on the other hand, other transparent polarization-altering films—such as plastic gift wrap and wrapping tape—are placed between a set of polarizers, a polarizing filtered color array can be observed. In American Journal of Physics Aaron Slepkov, of Trent University in Canada, explores the physics of how these colors appear, how they can be controlled, and why subtle changes in viewing angles, s