Question

Describe the construction action and use of nicol prism

Answer 1

Nicol prism is an optical device which is used for producing and analysing plane polarised light in practice.
Construction of nicol prism:-
1.It is constructed from the calcite crystal PQRS having length 3 times of its width.
2. its end faces PQ and Rs cut such that the angles in the principal section becomes 68° and 112° place of 71 and 109 degree.
3. Crystal is then cut diagonally into two parts, surfaces of these parts are ground to make optically flat and gents these are polished.
4. thus polished surface are connected together with the special cement known as Canada balsam.

Use of nicol prism:-
Nicol prism is used as an polarizer.
:-In order to produce and analyse the plane polarised light, we arrange the two nicol prism.
:- when and beam of unpolarised light is incident on the nicol prism emergent beam from the prism is obtained as plane polarised, and which has vibration parallel to the vibrations section.
:- this prism is therefore known as polarizer.