Polaroids explanation and Uses of Polaroid

Polaroids

A Polaroid is a material which polarises light. The phenomenon of selective absorption is made use of in the construction of polariods. There are different types of polaroids.

A Polaroid consists of micro crystals of herapathite (an iodosulphate of quinine). Each crystal is a doubly refracting medium, which absorbs the ordinary ray and transmits only the extra ordinary ray. The modern polaroid consists of a large number of ultra microscopic crystals of herapathite embedded with their optic axes, parallel, in a matrix of nitro - cellulose.

Recently, new types of polariod are prepared in which thin film of polyvinyl alcohol is used. These are colourless crystals which transmit more light, and give better polarisation.

Uses of Polaroid

1.     Polaroids are used in the laboratory to produce and analyse plane polarised light.

 

2.     Polaroids are widely used as polarising sun glasses.

 

3.     They are used to eliminate the head light glare in motor cars.

 

4.     They are used to improve colour contrasts in old oil paintings.

 

5.     Polaroid films are used to produce three - dimensional moving pictures.

 

6.     They are used as glass windows in trains and aeroplanes to control the intensity of light. In aeroplane one polaroid is fixed outside the window while the other is fitted inside which can be rotated. The intensity of light can be adjusted by rotating the inner polaroid.

 

7.     Aerial pictures may be taken from slightly different angles and when viewed through polaroids give a better perception of depth.

 

8.     In calculators and watches, letters and numbers are formed by liquid crystal display (LCD) through polarisation of light.

 

9.     Polarisation is also used to study size and shape of molecules.