Polarisaattori

Polarisaattori is a Finnish term that translates to polarizer in English. A polarizer is an optical filter that allows light waves of a specific polarization to pass through while blocking other polarizations. Light is an electromagnetic wave that oscillates in all directions perpendicular to its direction of travel. Polarization refers to the direction of these oscillations.

There are several types of polarizers, including linear polarizers, circular polarizers, and beam-splitting polarizers. Linear polarizers transmit light that oscillates in a single plane. Circular polarizers transmit light that oscillates in a helical pattern, either clockwise or counter-clockwise. Beam-splitting polarizers divide an incoming light beam into two beams with orthogonal polarizations.

Polarizers are used in a wide variety of applications. In photography, polarizers are used to reduce glare and enhance colors. In sunglasses, they reduce glare from surfaces like water and roads, improving visibility. In LCD screens, polarizers are essential for controlling the transmission of light and creating images. They are also used in scientific instruments like microscopes and spectrometers, as well as in 3D movie systems and some types of lasers. The principle behind their operation often involves selective absorption or scattering of light based on its polarization state, or through a process called birefringence where light is split into two polarized rays.